News Releases

Hong Kong [February 2007]- Barclays Capital, the investment banking division of Barclays Bank PLC, is expanding its prime services business by teaming up with Orc Software, the world’s leading provider of technology for advanced trading, market making and brokerage.

The partnership will allow Orc clients such as global hedge funds, broker dealers, and corporates to trade listed securities directly with Barclays Capital. Initially, users of Orc Software will be able to trade Asia–listed equities with Barclays Capital. The investment bank plans to expand this offering to include all exchange traded products including futures and options.

"Orc ExNet provides Barclays Capital with an important advantage by helping to expand the distribution of Barclays Capital’s global electronic access products worldwide whilst giving our customers greater access and flexibility through Orc’s trading systems and network,” says Angus Yang, Director, Head of Equity Prime Services Asia Pacific at Barclays Capital.

Orc Software’s Head of Sales for Asia Pacific Robert Rooks welcomes Barclays Capital to the Orc ExNet. "We are pleased Barclays Capital has chosen to leverage Orc’s global trading network. The addition of Barclays further grows the ExNet offering and provides its customer network with additional excellent order routing services provided by Barclays Capital.”

Barclays Capital Prime Services has more than 150 professionals in London, New York, Hong Kong, Singapore and Tokyo. They facilitate clearing trades, custody of assets, credit intermediation, securities lending, repo, cash and derivative direct market execution.  The service encompasses equities, fixed income, foreign exchange, commodities, equity swaps, CFDs, repo and futures and options.

For further information, please contact:

Paul Scanlon, Barclays Capital Communications & Global Marketing, Asia, +852 2903 2305

Notes to editors:

About Barclays Capital
Barclays Capital is the investment banking division of Barclays Bank PLC which has an AA long-term credit rating and a balance sheet of over £986 billion. With a distinctive business model, Barclays Capital provides large corporate, government and institutional clients with solutions to their financing and risk management needs.  Barclays Capital has offices in 26 countries, employs over 10,500 people and has the global reach and distribution power to meet the needs of issuers and investors worldwide.

Barclays Capital - the investment banking division of Barclays Bank PLC. Registered in England 1026167. Registered office 1 Churchill Place, London, E14 5HP. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority and a member of the London Stock Exchange.