Barclays Explores Evelyn Partners Deal in Push into Affluent Clients
BarclaysBarclays(US:BCS) ZACKS·2025-12-08 16:55

Core Viewpoint - Barclays PLC is considering a potential takeover of Evelyn Partners, one of Britain's largest wealth managers, with a bid expected as early as this week [1] Group 1: Takeover Details - A formal bid from Barclays must be submitted by December 10, the deadline set by Evelyn Partners' private equity owners, Permira and Warburg Pincus, for non-binding offers [2] - The sale process is expected to value Evelyn Partners at more than £2.5 billion ($3.3 billion) and has attracted interest from other major global contenders including NatWest Group PLC, Royal Bank of Canada, and Lloyds Banking Group PLC [2][8] Group 2: Strategic Rationale - Barclays aims to accelerate growth in its Private Banking and Wealth Management segment by increasing its headcount and hiring up to 100 advisers, targeting approximately 4 million UK customers with assets worth £250,000 to £3 million [4] - The UK market has client investable assets totaling around £3.5 trillion ($4.45 trillion), which Barclays is looking to tap into by expanding its wealth management franchise in the mass-affluent segment [5] Group 3: Financial Performance - Barclays Private Bank and Wealth Management segment reported total income of £1.03 billion ($1.38 billion) for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, reflecting a 7.7% growth from the prior year quarter, with attributable profit of £256 million ($341.1 million), up 13.8% year-over-year [6]