Disposal, etc

BARCLAYS PLC
12 August 1999

                            
BARCLAYS PLC AGREES TO SELL ITS MAJORITY SHAREHOLDING IN
            BARCLAYS BANK OF SIERRA LEONE LTD



Barclays PLC (Barclays) announces that it has agreed the
sale of its 51 per cent majority shareholding in Barclays
Bank of Sierra Leone Limited ('BBSL') to the country's
Government.

Barclays presently has a 60 per cent shareholding in BBSL
and is planning to distribute its remaining 9 per cent
shareholding to BBSL staff as part of an employee share
scheme. Local investors currently hold 40 per cent of
shares in BBSL.

BBSL currently operates one branch and a Head Office
function in Freetown, Sierra Leone.  BBSL employs 134
staff.  As at December 31, 1998, BBSL had net assets of
approximately £1.6 million.

Completion of the sale will take place after shareholder
approval to change the name has been given.


For further information contact:   Catriona Campbell /
                                   Maria Darby
                                   Group Media Relations
                                   Barclays Bank  (UK)
                                   Tel: [phone] / 2660