UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
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FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13A-16 OR 15D-16
UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
December 2006
Barclays PLC and
Barclays Bank PLC
(Names of Registrants)
1 Churchill Place
London E14 5HP
England
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports
under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-F x Form 40-F
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information
contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the
Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Yes No x
If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant
in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b):
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This Report is a joint Report on Form 6-K filed by Barclays PLC and Barclays
Bank PLC. All of the issued ordinary share capital of Barclays Bank PLC is
owned by Barclays PLC.
This Report comprises:
Information given to The London Stock Exchange and furnished pursuant to
General Instruction B to the General Instructions to Form 6-K.
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EXHIBIT INDEX
Acquisition dated 20 December 2006
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, each of
the registrants has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
BARCLAYS PLC
(Registrant)
Date: December 20, 2006 By: /s/ Patrick Gonsalves
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Patrick Gonsalves
Deputy Secretary
BARCLAYS BANK PLC
(Registrant)
Date: December 20, 2006 By: /s/ Patrick Gonsalves
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Patrick Gonsalves
Joint Secretary
20th December 2006
BARCLAYS PLC
BARCLAYS STRENGTHENS ITS POSITION IN AFRICA WITH ACQUISITION OF NILE BANK IN
UGANDA
Barclays Bank PLC ("Barclays") and the shareholders of Nile Bank are pleased to
announce that they have reached agreement in principle for Barclays to acquire
100% of the share capital of Nile Bank. The acquisition will lead to Barclays
and Nile Bank combining their distribution network, customer base and know-how
to establish a leading position in the market and to drive further business
growth. Barclays expects the transaction to complete during the first quarter of
2007, subject to finalisation of confirmatory due diligence and documentation
and to receipt of regulatory approval.
Nile Bank is the seventh largest commercial bank in Uganda with 18 branches, 228
employees and a strong retail customer base. It was the first Ugandan bank to
extend its branch network beyond Kampala, the capital city, and the first
indigenous bank to offer cash machines to its customers. At the end of 2005 Nile
Bank had assets of UGX 134bn (GBP38.4m) and revenues of UGX 18bn (GBP5.3m).
The enlarged operations will comprise 25 branches and around 400 employees,
signifying Barclays ongoing commitment to the Ugandan economy.
Commenting on the transaction, Nick Mbuvi, Managing Director of Barclays Bank of
Uganda said: "Nile Bank's domestic banking expertise in Uganda and strong
expertise in the small and medium-sized business sector will enable us
significantly to strengthen and expand our presence in Uganda. We look forward
to welcoming the Nile Bank staff into Barclays. Their local industry experience
will be crucial to developing this business. This acquisition signals Barclays
commitment to developing its African businesses and to being a leading
contributor to Africa's future."
Richard Byarugaba, Managing Director of Nile Bank, Uganda, said: "We are
confident that Barclays is well positioned to build upon the strength of this
business to the benefit of our Ugandan customers. Barclays global reach, scale
and widely recognised brand makes it the ideal choice for Nile Bank. Our
combined teams will create exciting growth opportunities for our customers and
our employees.
"We are pleased that our management, staff and customers will benefit from the
opportunity to participate in such a dynamic and international business."
- ENDS -
For further information please contact:
Barclays
Investor Relations Media Relations (London)
James S Johnson/Neil Temple-Gough Alistair Smith
+44 (0) 20 7116 2927/2928 +44 (0) 20 7116 6132
Media Relations (Kampala)
Joseph Walusimbi
+256 752 777 083
Media Relations (Johannesburg)
Patty Seetharam
+27 (0) 11 328 3170
Nile Bank
External Communications
Gunira Ouko
+256 712 771853
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.
NOTES TO EDITORS
About Nile Bank
- Nile Bank (the seventh largest bank in Uganda) is a retail and SME
focused bank with 18 branches and 31 ATMs servicing over 130,000 retail,
SME and corporate customers
- Nile Bank has grown rapidly and was the first indigenous bank to extend
its network beyond Kampala and to offer ATM banking to its customers. Nile
Bank increased its number of branches from just three in 2000 to 18
strategically located outlets and 31 ATMs today, operated by over 220
experienced staff,
- Nile Bank offers its customers a range of competitive and affordable
banking products including telephone and internet banking
- Nile Bank is also an official partner for Western Union Money Transfer
with 43 outlets (including sub agencies) throughout the country
Disclaimer
This document 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
Group's plans and its current goals and expectations relating to its future
financial condition and performance. These forward-looking statements can be
identified by the fact that they do not relate only to historical or current
facts. Forward-looking statements sometimes use words such as 'aim',
'anticipate', 'target', 'expect', 'estimate', 'intend', 'plan', 'goal',
'believe', or other words of similar meaning. Examples of forward-looking
statements include, among others, statements regarding the Group's future
financial position, income growth, impairment charges, business strategy,
projected levels of growth in the banking and financial markets, projected
costs, estimates of capital expenditures, and plans and objectives for future
operations.
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, the outcome of
pending and future litigation, and the impact of competition - a number of which
factors are beyond the Group's control. As a result, the Group's actual future
results may differ materially from the plans, goals, and expectations set forth
in the Group's forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements made
by or on behalf of Barclays speak only as of the date they are made. Barclays
does not undertake to update forward-looking statements to reflect any changes
in Barclays expectations with regard thereto or any changes in events,
conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based. The reader
should, however, consult any additional disclosures that Barclays has made or
may make in documents it has filed or may file with the SEC.