Barclays Bank UK PLC Acquires Tesco Bank and Establishes Exclusive Partnership

In a strategic move set to reshape the UK’s banking and retail landscape, Barclays Bank UK PLC has announced the acquisition of Tesco Bank, Tesco’s retail banking division. This acquisition is complemented by an exclusive long-term partnership for offering Tesco-branded credit cards, personal loans, and deposits. This initiative marks a significant collaboration between two of the UK’s leading entities in banking and retail.

The integration of Tesco’s retail banking customers aligns with Barclays UK’s strategy to enhance its customer base and expand its market presence. It builds upon Barclays’ existing strategic partnerships within the retail, consumer electronics, and loyalty programme sectors. The agreement is aimed at creating synergies between Barclays’ financial services expertise and Tesco’s extensive consumer reach.

Pending regulatory approval, the completion of this transaction is expected in the second half of 2024. It will see the transition of approximately 2,800 Tesco colleagues to Barclays, bolstering the bank’s commitment to excellence and innovation in customer service.

C.S. Venkatakrishnan, Group Chief Executive of Barclays, highlighted the strategic nature of the partnership, stating, “This partnership enables us to diversify our distribution channels for unsecured lending and deposit businesses significantly. Our experience in partnership cards in the US will serve to enhance the Tesco Clubcard loyalty scheme, offering innovative financial solutions to meet customer needs.”

The strategic partnership reflects Tesco’s initiative to optimize its financial services offering, leveraging its brand and operational scale. It aims to generate substantial annual income through the growth of its customer base and Barclays’ participation in the Tesco Clubcard program.

As part of the agreement, Tesco will divest £7.7 billion in capital-intensive assets and £6.7 billion in financial liabilities, streamlining its balance sheet and concentrating on its core retail operations. The transaction is anticipated to yield Tesco approximately £1 billion in total cash, with a significant portion earmarked for shareholder returns through an incremental share buyback program.

Ken Murphy, Tesco Group Chief Executive, outlined the transaction’s strategic benefits: “This partnership with Barclays allows us to unlock significant value for our customers and our business, positioning us to deliver innovative financial products and services. It represents a strategic step towards enhancing our financial services offerings, reducing our financial liabilities, and focusing on our core retail growth.”

The partnership’s finalization is contingent upon court sanction and regulatory approvals, with the anticipated completion in the latter half of 2024. Both Barclays and Tesco are focused on ensuring a smooth transition for both customers and employees, signifying a transformative phase in UK banking and retail services.