Preliminary Discussions

Barclays PLC
20 March 2007

                                                                 20th March 2007

                                  BARCLAYS PLC

       Barclays and ABN AMRO Announce Outline of Preliminary Discussions

Further to the announcement of 19th March 2007, Barclays PLC ('Barclays') and
ABN AMRO Holding N.V. ('ABN AMRO') confirm that they are in exclusive
preliminary discussions with regard to a potential combination of the two
organisations that would create value for both sets of shareholders. These talks
are at an early and exploratory stage and there can be no certainty that they
will lead to a transaction or the form it will take.

Barclays and ABN AMRO have agreed to engage in discussions that seek to
incorporate the following broad objectives:

   •The holding company of the combined entity would be a UK incorporated
    company (PLC) with a primary listing on the London Stock Exchange and
    secondary listing on Euronext Amsterdam.

   •The new entity would have a UK unitary Board and clear governance and
    management structures.

   •The first Chairman would be nominated by ABN AMRO and the first Chief
    Executive Officer would be nominated by Barclays.

   •The head office for the combined entity would be located in Amsterdam.

   •Discussions have been initiated with the UK, Dutch and other relevant
    regulators as regards seeking the Dutch Central Bank (DNB) to act as lead
    regulator for the combined entity.

The ultimate outcome of these discussions generally, and in regard to these
specific objectives, will depend on the consultation with and the approvals of
the multiple regulators and other stakeholders in the various jurisdictions.

Further announcements will be made in due course.


                                    - ENDS -

For further information please contact:

Contacts at Barclays:

Investor Relations
Mark Merson/James S Johnson
Office: [phone]/2927
Mobile: [phone]

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




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