Barclaycard Freedom Celebrates First Birthday

NORTHAMPTON, England, March 31, 2011 - Barclaycard Freedom, the loyalty scheme from Barclaycard, celebrates
strong figures on its progress since launch one year ago. The scheme has
encouraged Barclaycard Freedom cardholders to spend on average 14% more in
launch partner stores than other credit card customers.

There are now one million active Barclaycard Freedom customers earning
and redeeming Reward Money across over 20,000 coalition partners. Over the
last 12 months, the average value redeemed has doubled. Joint promotions have
driven much of this growth, with cardholders who have benefited from retailer
special offers spending over two and a half times more than cardholders who
have not taken advantage of the credit card benefits (
www.barclaycard.co.uk/personal-home/cards/card-benefits/index.html).

Over the last year, both large and small retailers have seen a rise in
custom from Barclaycard holders as a result of available Reward Money, with
the average amount of Reward Money being redeemed month-on-month almost
doubling. Shell service stations have seen a 15% rise in linked sales from
Barclaycard Freedom cardholders and, in smaller independent retailers over a
quarter (27%) of Reward Money was earned and redeemed.

Sarah Alspach, marketing director of Barclaycard Freedom, said: "Since
launch last year, economic conditions have been creating a pinch on shoppers'
wallets with resulting falls in high street spending. Barclaycard Freedom has
been benefiting Barclaycard credit card holders and providing value for money
for retailers, while delivering double digit growth in spending. We believe
it is a programme that is good for shoppers as they earn pounds, not points
and it is helping drive business for our coalition partners. Indeed,
footfall, together with the insight we can provide, will be a crucial element
in helping our partners navigate the next 12 months."

The last year has seen the scheme attract a number of new retailer
partners with House of Fraser and Nicolas Wines, now allowing their customers
to earn Reward Money when they make purchases. What is more, the launch of
the Freedom eStore on mybarclaycard.co.uk created a portal through which
customers can shop online and still earn Reward Money.

Barclaycard Freedom is unique for a loyalty scheme as it allows
Barclaycard customers to earn rewards in pounds and pence on their credit
card, with no need for vouchers or coupons. Eligible Barclaycard credit card
holders are simply rewarded for using their card when making a purchase at
any participating retail partner in the UK with no need to register or
receive a new card.

About Barclaycard:

Barclaycard, part of Barclays Global Retail Banking division, is a
leading global payment and credit card provider (
www.barclaycard.co.uk/personal-home/about-barclaycard/index.html)
business which helps consumers, retailers and businesses to make and accept
payments flexibly, and to access short-term credit when needed.

The company is one of the pioneers of new forms of payments and is at the
forefront of developing viable contactless payments (
www.barclaycard.co.uk/personal-home/contactless/) and mobile payment
schemes for today and cutting edge forms of payment for the future. It also
issues credit cards with rewards (
www.barclaycard.co.uk/champion/credit-card-reward.html) and charge
cards to corporate customers and the UK Government. Barclaycard partners with
a wide range of organisations across the globe to offer their customers or
members payment options and credit.

In addition to the UK, Barclaycard operates in the United States, Europe
and Africa.

    PR Contact:
    Andrew Bond
    Barclaycard Press Office
    1234 Pavilion Drive
    Northampton
    NN4 7SG
    +44(0)1604-25-1229

www.barclaycard.co.uk

PR Contact: Andrew Bond, Barclaycard Press Office, 1234 Pavilion Drive, Northampton, NN4 7SG, +44(0)1604-25-1229