Exclusivity Period Extended

Barclays PLC
17 April 2007




                                                                 17th April 2007

                     BARCLAYS PLC AND ABN AMRO HOLDING N.V.

                    ANNOUNCE EXTENSION OF EXCLUSIVITY PERIOD


Barclays PLC ('Barclays') and ABN AMRO Holding N.V. ('ABN AMRO') announced today
that they have extended the exclusivity period to the end of Friday 20th April
2007. Barclays and ABN AMRO are in talks regarding a potential combination of
the two organisations that would create value for both sets of shareholders.

The discussions, which seek to incorporate the broad objectives set out on 20th
March 2007, are progressing, but there can be no certainty that they will lead
to a transaction or the form it will take.

                                    - ENDS -

For further information please contact:

Media Relations

Stephen Whitehead/Alistair Smith
Office: [phone]/6132
Mobile: [phone]


Investor Relations
James S Johnson
Telephone: [phone]

Future SEC Filings and this Filing: Important Information

In the event that Barclays PLC and ABN AMRO Holding N.V. enter into a
transaction, they may be required to file relevant materials with the SEC. Such
documents, however, are not currently available. INVESTORS ARE URGED TO READ ANY
DOCUMENTS REGARDING THE POTENTIAL TRANSACTION IF AND WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE,
BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Investors will be able to
obtain a free copy of such filings without charge, at the SEC's website (http://
www.sec.gov) once such documents are filed with the SEC. Copies of such
documents may also be obtained from Barclays PLC and ABN AMRO Holding N.V.,
without charge, once they are filed with the SEC.

This filing shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an
offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any
jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior
to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such
jurisdiction. No offering of securities shall be made except by means of a
prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended.




                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange