UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, DC 20549 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FORM 6-K REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER PURSUANT TO RULE 13A-16 OR 15D-16 UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 March 2007 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): THIS REPORT ON FORM 6-K SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENTS ON FORM F-3 (NOS.333-126811, 333-85646 AND 333-12384) OF BARCLAYS BANK PLC AND TO BE A PART THEREOF FROM THE DATE ON WHICH THIS REPORT IS FURNISHED, TO THE EXTENT NOT SUPERSEDED BY DOCUMENTS OR REPORTS SUBSEQUENTLY FILED OR FURNISHED. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- EXHIBIT INDEX Statement re. Press Comment - 20 March 2007 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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: March 20, 2007 By: /s/ Patrick Gonsalves ---------------------- Patrick Gonsalves Deputy Secretary BARCLAYS BANK PLC (Registrant) Date: March 20, 2007 By: /s/ Patrick Gonsalves ---------------------- Patrick Gonsalves Joint Secretary 19th March 2007 BARCLAYS PLC Barclays Confirms Exploratory Discussions With ABN AMRO Further to its announcement this morning, Barclays PLC ('Barclays') confirms that it is in exclusive preliminary discussions with ABN AMRO Holding N.V. ('ABN AMRO') concerning a potential combination of the two organisations which will create value for both sets of shareholders. These discussions are the result of careful consideration to create a highly complementary partnership. The talks are at an early and exploratory stage and there can be no certainty that they will lead to a transaction. A further announcement will be made in due course. - ENDS - Contacts at Barclays: Investor Relations Mark Merson/James S Johnson Office: +44 (0)20 7116 5752/2927 Mobile: +44 (0)7770 748 771 Media Relations Stephen Whitehead/Alistair Smith Office: +44 (0)20 7116 6060/6132 Mobile: +44 (0)7880 783 532 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.