UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
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FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13A-16 OR 15D-16
UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
May 2007
Barclays PLC and
Barclays Bank PLC
(Names of Registrants)
1 Churchill Place
London E14 5HP
England
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports
under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-F x Form 40-F
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information
contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the
Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Yes No x
If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant
in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b):
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This Report is a joint Report on Form 6-K filed by Barclays PLC and Barclays
Bank PLC. All of the issued ordinary share capital of Barclays Bank PLC is
owned by Barclays PLC.
This Report comprises:
Information given to The London Stock Exchange and furnished pursuant to
General Instruction B to the General Instructions to Form 6-K.
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EXHIBIT INDEX
Acquisition 21 May 2007
21st May 2007
BARCLAYS PLC
BARCLAYS TO ACQUIRE WALBROOK GROUP LIMITED
Barclays Bank PLC ("Barclays") announces that it has signed an agreement to
acquire Walbrook Group Limited ("Walbrook"), an independent fiduciary services
company. Barclays will finance the transaction out of existing cash resources.
Walbrook is based in Jersey, Guernsey, Isle of Man and Hong Kong where it serves
high net worth private clients and corporate customers. As at 31st December 2006
Walbrook had gross tangible assets of GBP13.5m and GBP8.6bn of client assets.
Barclays will integrate Walbrook into its Wealth Advisory business where it will
build on existing Barclays Wealth operations in the Channel Islands, Isle of
Man, and Hong Kong. Walbrook's executive management has committed to staying
with and helping to develop the combined business.
Thomas L. Kalaris, Chief Executive of Barclays Wealth, said: "We are delighted
to welcome Walbrook to Barclays Wealth. Walbrook has a strong product and client
offering and geographical footprint that will complement Barclays Wealth. The
acquisition is consistent with our ongoing strategy as we continue to bring a
market leading Wealth Management service to our clients."
Bryan Dix, Chief Executive of Walbrook said: "We are excited by the momentum and
the opportunities this transaction creates. Barclays is a great fit, and offers
outstanding opportunities for our people, our business growth and, most
importantly, for our clients."
- ENDS -
For further information please contact:
Barclays
Investor Relations Media Relations
Mark Merson/James S Johnson Robin Tozer
+44 (0) 20 7116 5752/2927 +44 (0) 20 7116 6586
At Barclays Wealth:
Nicola Hankey/Caroline Wells
+44 (0) 20 7114 9813/7435
About Barclays
Barclays PLC is a major global financial services provider engaged in retail and
commercial banking, credit cards, investment banking, wealth management and
investment management services. We are one of the largest financial services
companies in the world by market capitalization. With over 300 years of history
and expertise in banking, Barclays operates in over 50 countries and employs
123,000 people, We move, lend, invest and protect money for over 27 million
customers and clients worldwide. For further information about Barclays, please
visit our website www.barclays.com.
About Barclays Wealth
Barclays Wealth is the UK's leading wealth manager and has GBP93bn client assets
globally. It serves affluent, high net worth and intermediary clients worldwide,
providing international and private banking, financial planning, investment
services and brokerage.
About Walbrook
Walbrook is an independent fiduciary services company based in Jersey, Guernsey,
Isle of Man and Hong Kong. Walbrook serves its clients through specialist client
teams covering either specific services or geographical areas. The specific
services include administration of trust and companies, collective investment
vehicles, special purpose vehicles and employer solutions structures. Walbrook
was established by an MBO from Deloitte in 2003, backed by Hermes Private Equity
and has since been partially owned by Walbrook's management team.
Forward-looking statements
This document contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of
Section 21E of the US Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Section
27A of the US Securities Act of 1933, as amended, with respect to certain of
Barclays plans and its current goals and expectations relating to its future
financial condition and performance. These forward-looking statements can be
identified by the fact that they do not relate only to historical or current
facts. Forward-looking statements sometimes use words such as 'aim',
'anticipate', 'target', 'expect', 'estimate', 'intend', 'plan', 'goal',
'believe', or other words of similar meaning. Examples of forward-looking
statements include, among others, statements regarding Barclays future financial
position, income growth, impairment charges, business strategy, projected levels
of growth in the banking and financial markets, projected costs, estimates of
capital expenditures, and plans and objectives for future operations.
By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because
they relate to future events and circumstances, including, but not limited to,
global as well as US economic and business conditions, market related risks such
as changes in interest rates and exchange rates, the policies and actions of
governmental and regulatory authorities, changes in legislation, and the impact
of competition - a number of which factors are beyond Barclays control. As a
result, Barclays actual future results may differ materially from the plans,
goals, and expectations set forth in Barclays forward-looking statements. Any
forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of Barclays speak only as of the
date they are made. Barclays does not undertake to update forward-looking
statements to reflect any changes in Barclays expectations with regard thereto
or any changes in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such
statement is based. The reader should, however, consult any additional
disclosures that Barclays has made or may make in documents it has filed or may
file with the SEC.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, each of
the registrants has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
BARCLAYS PLC
(Registrant)
Date: May 21, 2007 By: /s/ Patrick Gonsalves
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Patrick Gonsalves
Deputy Secretary
BARCLAYS BANK PLC
(Registrant)
Date: May 21, 2007 By: /s/ Patrick Gonsalves
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Patrick Gonsalves
Joint Secretary