Pre-Close Briefings

Barclays PLC
1 June 2000

BARCLAYS PLC
PRE-CLOSE BRIEFINGS WITH ANALYSTS

Barclays PLC ('Barclays') will be meeting analysts ahead of its close period
for the half-year ended 30th June 2000.

All the Group's businesses had a strong performance for the first quarter of
2000.

Key trends below relate to the performance in the first quarter of 2000 and,
where applicable and unless stated otherwise, are compared against the
equivalent period in 1999:

Net interest income: In Retail Financial Services average UK mortgage
lending increased in line with the market growth rate.  UK Consumer Lending
growth strengthened compared with the last quarter of 1999, although it was
lower than the comparable first quarter of last year.  In Barclaycard,
extended credit balances in the UK continued to experience strong growth.
Corporate Banking's average lendings to customers increased by 9%, which is
slightly ahead of the overall growth rate for 1999.

Average UK savings balances improved by 6% on the first quarter of 1999 in
line with market growth. Current account balances increased 11% over the
same period.  Average UK Corporate deposit growth slowed slightly compared
with the rate of growth for 1999 as a whole.

In the first quarter of 2000 the overall Group margin was maintained
compared to the second half of 1999.

Net fees and commissions have seen good growth across all the Group's
businesses.

In Retail Financial Services, commissions and fees benefited from higher
levels of average assets under management.  Within Wealth Management there
was increased dealing activity in Stockbrokers. Retail Customers benefited
from an increase in the customer numbers of 'Additions' current accounts, to
904,000, by the end of March 2000 (31st December 1999: 871,000).

Barclaycard's fee income continued to grow as a result of increased volumes.

Corporate Banking fees and commissions benefited from continued growth in
arrangement fees.

Barclays Global Investors' assets under management increased to £505 billion
at 31st March 2000 compared to £486 billion at 31st December 1999.


Dealing profits within Barclays Capital grew strongly, with good
performances in both the rates and credit businesses.

Costs of the ongoing business in the first quarter of 2000 were at a similar
level as the same period of 1999.

Provisions for bad and doubtful debts: Within Retail Financial Services, net
provisions were higher in the first quarter of 2000, primarily as a result
of increased unsecured lending volumes.  The net provision charge at
Barclaycard increased as a result of the increase in UK extended credit
balances and strong growth in international lending volumes. Corporate
Banking's net provisions charge remained at the low levels experienced in
1999.

Exceptional items: The sale of the Dial Group for £269 million represented
approximately a £200 million premium to the net asset value.

As at the close of business on 31st May 2000 for the year to date, Barclays
has purchased for cancellation 15.4 million of its ordinary shares at a cost
of £238 million.

The 2000 interim results will be announced on Thursday 3rd August 2000.
                                     
                                      
For further information please contact:

Investor Relations                           Media Relations

Ian Roundell                                 Leigh Bruce
020 7699 2961                                020 7699 2658

Emma Savage                                  Maria Darby
020 7699 2960                                020 7699 2970

This document contains certain forward-looking statements with respect to the
financial condition and results of operations of Barclays, which by their
nature involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend
on circumstances that may occur in the future.  There are a number of factors
that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from
those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These factors
include, but are not limited to, changes in economic conditions in countries
in which Barclays conducts its business and internationally elsewhere, as well
as future exchange and interest rates, interest margins, the level of deposits
taken and the level of lending by Barclays.  A more detailed list of these
factors is contained on page 77 of Barclays Annual Report for 1999.
                    

REPORTING OF GROUP STRUCTURE IN 2000

From 1st January 2000, Barclaycard became a separate business unit. Retail
Financial Services now comprises Retail Customers and Wealth Management.

The comparative figures for this reporting structure are set out below:


Retail Financial Services

Retail Customers
                                                                      
                                  1999    31.12.99   30.06.99      1998
                                                
                                    £m         £m         £m        £m
                                                                      
Net interest income              1,916        971        945     1,865
Net fees and commissions           735        377        358       777
Income from long term               32         21         11        98
assurance business
Other operating income            114          66         48        42
                                  ___       _____      _____     _____
Total income                     2,797      1,435      1,362     2,782
Total costs                    (1,588)      (794)      (794)    (1,714)
Provisions for bad and           (325)      (157)      (168)      (243)
doubtful debts
                                   ___        ___        ___       ___
Operating profit                   884        484        400       825
                                   ___        ___        ___       ___
                                                                      

Wealth Management
                                                                      
                                  1999    31.12.99  30.06.99      1998
                                    £m          £m        £m        £m
                                                                      
Net interest income                555         278       277       525
Net fees and commissions           565         283       282       490
Income from long term               12           5         7        11
assurance business
Other operating income              29          13        16        20
                                 _____       _____      ____     _____
Total income                     1,161         579       582     1,046
Total costs                      (738)       (367)     (371)     (725)
Provisions for bad and               5         (5)        10       (3)
doubtful debts
                                   ___         ___       ___       ___
Operating profit                   428         207       221       318
                                   ___         ___       ___       ___        
                                                             


Barclaycard
                                                                      
                                  1999    31.12.99  30.06.99      1998
                                    £m          £m        £m        £m
                                                                      
Net interest income                488         247       241       435
Net fees and commissions           480         249       231       456
                                   ___         ___       ___       ___
Total income                       968         496       472       891
Total costs                      (397)       (202)     (195)     (413)
Provisions for bad and           (170)        (88)      (82)     (144)
doubtful debts
                                   ___         ___       ___       ___
Operating profit                   401         206       195       334
                                   ___         ___       ___       ___