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Barclays May Buy Large US Retail Bank

Tom Burroughes Editor London 10 March 2010

Barclays May Buy Large US Retail Bank

Barclays, the UK-listed bank and parent of Barclays Wealth, is looking at buying a large US retail bank as it tries to rebalance its business away from a booming investment banking franchise, according to the Financial Times, citing unnamed sources.

According to people briefed on the plan, Antony Jenkins, the new head of Barclays’ retail banking activities, is preparing a strategy paper that will go to the board in the next two to three months.

“Nothing is imminent but we’re opportunistic,” one person told the publication, “If we do something, we will do it big,” the person said.

Barclays has not identified firm targets for a US retail bid or begun any talks, according to people close to the bank. But bankers and analysts point to the likes of SunTrust, PNC Financial and US Bancorp – all bailed-out US banks – as potential targets, the report said.

 

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