Disposal

Barclays PLC
27 December 2006


                                                                27 December 2006


                                  BARCLAYS PLC

                Barclays sells shares in FirstCaribbean to CIBC

Further to its announcement on 28th June 2006, Barclays Bank PLC ('Barclays')
today announced it has sold 599,401,230 ordinary shares in FirstCaribbean
International Bank ('FirstCaribbean') as part of its planned disposal of its
43.7% shareholding in FirstCaribbean to Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
('CIBC').

The amount payable by CIBC, totalling approximately US$ 989 million, has been
satisfied entirely in cash.

Barclays intends, but is not obliged, to tender its remaining 66,600,137
ordinary shares in FirstCaribbean in the subsequent mandatory offer to be made
to all shareholders in FirstCaribbean.


                                    - ENDS -


For further information please contact:

Barclays
Investor Relations                    Media Relations
James S Johnson / Karen Menzel        Robin Tozer
[phone] / 2929           [phone]


CIBC
Investor Relations                    Media Relations
John Ferren                           Rob McLeod
[phone]                       [phone]



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 capitalisation. With over 300 years of history
and expertise in banking, Barclays operates in over 60 countries and employs
around 120,000 people. We move, lend, invest and protect money for over 25
million customers and clients worldwide.

About CIBC
CIBC is a leading North American financial institution with more than 11 million
personal banking and business customers. CIBC offers a full range of products
and services through its comprehensive electronic banking network, branches and
offices across Canada, in the United States and around the world.

About FirstCaribbean
FirstCaribbean has over 3,400 staff, 100 branches and banking centres, and
offices in 17 countries comprising: Anguilla, Antigua, The Bahamas, Barbados,
Belize, The British Virgin Islands, The Cayman Islands, Curacao, Dominica,
Grenada, Jamaica, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, St Maarten, St Vincent and the
Grenadines, Trinidad & Tobago and The Turks & Caicos Islands. The bank has
approximately 780,000 active accounts.

Disclaimer
The announcement 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 the
Barclays plans and its current goals and expectations relating to the potential
transaction described above. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve
risk and uncertainty because they relate to future events and circumstances,
including, but not limited to, domestic and global 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 are
beyond Barclays control. As a result, the actual future results may differ
materially from the plans, goals and expectations set forth in the
forward-looking statements.




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