NEW YORK, NY -- (Marketwire) -- 10/02/08 -- Barclays Bank PLC (NYSE: BCS) today announced it will transfer its Barclays GEMS Index(TM) ETN (JEM) to the NYSE Arca listing and trading platform on or around October 31, 2008. No action is needed by current investors.

Due to the announced merger of the American Stock Exchange and NYSE Euronext, all Amex-listed ETNs and ETFs are expected to be transferred to NYSE Arca by the end of October 2008. NYSE Euronext believes that offering a single platform for listing and trading ETFs and ETNs will further improve efficiencies and market quality.

"NYSE Arca is the primary listing and trading venue for ETNs and ETFs and it will continue to provide liquidity for Barclays GEMS Index(TM) ETN," said Philippe El-Asmar, Head of Solution Sales, Americas at Barclays Capital.

Barclays GEMS Index(TM) ETN tracks the total return of the Barclays Global Emerging Markets Strategy (GEMS) Index(TM) and pays a monthly coupon representing the implied yield on the Index. The Barclays GEMS Index is based on investing in 1-month synthetic money market deposits. The Index is a global index that measures the total return of the Barclays Global Emerging Markets Strategy applied to 15 diversified Emerging Market Countries.

About Barclays

Barclays is a major global financial services provider engaged in retail and commercial banking, credit cards, investment banking, wealth management and investment management services with an extensive international presence in Europe, the United States, Africa and Asia. With over 300 years of history and expertise in banking, Barclays operates in over 50 countries and employs approximately 150,000 people. Barclays moves, lends, invests and protects money for over 42 million customers and clients worldwide. For further information about Barclays, please visit our website www.barclays.com.

An investment in Barclays GEMS Index(TM) ETNs involves risks, including possible loss of principal. For a description of the main risks see "Risk Factors" in the applicable prospectus.

Barclays Bank PLC has filed a registration statement (including a prospectus and a prospectus supplement) with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") for the offering to which this communication relates. Before you invest, you should read the prospectus, and other documents Barclays Bank PLC has filed with the SEC for more complete information about the issuer and this offering.