Strategic Alliance

Barclays PLC
11 August 2003

                                                                  11 August 2003



Barclaycard International announces a strategic alliance with Standard Bank of
South Africa


Barclays PLC today announces that Barclaycard International has entered into a
strategic alliance with the Standard Bank of South Africa Limited 'Standard 
Bank' to issue Barclaycards and other branded cards, including a Manchester 
United branded credit card, in South Africa.  The strategic alliance will 
initially have minimum receivables of ZAR 200m (GBP £16.8m) acquired from 
Standard Bank's existing business.



For further information please contact:

Barclays Investor Relations, Karen Menzel, Tel: [phone]

Barclaycard Press Office, Ian Barber, Tel: [phone]






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