Statement re Absa

Barclays PLC 06 July 2005 Absa Group Limited (Registration number 1986/003934/06) (Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa) JSE share code: ASA ISIN: ZAE000013389 ('Absa') Barclays Bank PLC (Registration number 1026167) (Incorporated in England) ('Barclays') COURT HEARING 1. Introduction Shareholders are referred to the joint announcements released on 9 May 2005 and 21 June 2005, the SENS announcements released on 4 and 5 July 2005 and the circular to shareholders dated 20 May 2005 (the 'Circular') regarding the Barclays proposed acquisition of up to 60% of the Absa ordinary shares at R82.50 per share (the 'Recommended Acquisition'). Shareholders are reminded that the Recommended Acquisition is being effected through two inter-conditional processes: (i) the scheme of arrangement proposed by Barclays between Absa and the Absa Ordinary Shareholders, excluding the Absa Group Limited Share Incentive Scheme Trust and the Barclays Group (save to the extent that members of that group may hold Absa Ordinary Shares on behalf of third parties), pursuant to which Barclays will acquire 32% of each such Ordinary Shareholder's shares (the 'Scheme'); and (ii) the partial offer by Barclays to all Absa Ordinary Shareholders and Preference Shareholders (together 'Shareholders') to acquire from each such Shareholder an additional 28% of his or her shares (the 'Recommended Offer'). Shareholders of Absa are advised that: * at the meeting held on 13 June 2005, the requisite majority of Absa shareholders approved the Scheme; and * the Recommended Offer was declared unconditional as to acceptances on Monday 4 July 2005. 2. Judgement on application to intervene expected tomorrow At the hearing to sanction the Scheme held today at the High Court of South Africa (Witwatersrand Local Division) (the 'Court') arguments were heard from all parties on an application to intervene in the sanctioning of the Scheme. The Court indicated that it will rule on this matter tomorrow. At this stage the timetable of the Recommended Acquisition remains unchanged. If there is a change to the timetable it will be announced. For further information, please contact: Absa Group Limited Barclays PLC Investor Relations Investor Relations Willie Roux Mark Merson/James Johnson +27 (0) 11 350 4061 +44 (0) 20 7116 5752/2927 Media Relations Media Relations - London Nick Cairns Chris Tucker +27 (0) 11 350 6565 +44 (0) 20 7116 6223 Media Relations - Johannesburg Liz Hooper +27 (0) 11 328 3160 Johannesburg 6 July 2005 Financial advisors to Absa Financial advisors to Barclays Goldman Sachs International JP Morgan Merrill Lynch International Barclays Capital Absa Corporate & Merchant Bank Attorneys to Absa Attorneys to Barclays Webber Wentzel Bowens Deneys Reitz Inc. International Attorneys to Absa International Attorneys to Barclays Linklaters Clifford Chance LLP Independent Advisor to Absa's Board N.M. Rothschild Sponsor to Absa Merrill Lynch South Africa (Pty) Ltd Co-sponsor to Absa Absa Corporate & Merchant Bank Reporting Accountants to Absa Ernst & Young KPMG This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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