Barclays and NatWest Expected to Bid for Evelyn Partners
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Feb 04 2026
0mins
Source: seekingalpha
- Bidding Activity: Barclays and NatWest are expected to formally submit bids for wealth management firm Evelyn Partners on Thursday, indicating strong interest in the wealth management sector.
- Bid Scale: Both banks are offering over £2 billion for a firm that manages approximately £65 billion in assets, which would significantly enhance their market position if successful.
- Potential Competitors: Although the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) is speculated to be linked to the auction, it remains unclear whether they will submit a bid, adding uncertainty to the competitive landscape.
- Shareholder Background: Evelyn Partners is owned by private equity firms Permira and Warburg Pincus, and this acquisition could impact their future strategic direction and investment decisions.
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About BCS
Barclays PLC is a diversified bank with five divisions comprising Barclays UK, Barclays UK Corporate Bank, Barclays Private Bank and Wealth Management, Barclays Investment Bank and Barclays US Consumer Bank. The Barclays UK division represents businesses that sit within the United Kingdom ring-fenced bank, Barclays Bank UK PLC and its subsidiaries, and comprises Personal Banking, UK Business Banking and Barclaycard Consumer UK. The Barclays UK Corporate Bank division offers lending, trade and working capital, liquidity, payments, and FX solutions for corporate clients. Barclays Private Bank and Wealth Management division comprises the Private Bank, Wealth Management, and Investments businesses. Barclays Investment Bank division incorporates the Global Markets, Investment Banking, and International Corporate Banking businesses. Barclays US Consumer Bank division represents the United States credit card business, focused on the partnership market, as well as an online deposit franchise.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Increased Market Risks: Barclays analysts warned that despite the rapid stock market rebound, rising bond yields could pose a risk of correction for equities, particularly as macroeconomic pressures mount, necessitating caution among investors regarding potential market volatility.
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- Class Action Preparation: The firm is preparing a class action to seek compensation for investors who purchased Barclays securities, with no out-of-pocket fees required, thereby lowering the barrier for participation in the lawsuit.
- Stock Price Reaction: Following the news, Barclays' American Depositary Shares (ADS) fell by 3.99% on February 27, 2026, and an additional 2.3% on March 2, indicating market concerns about the bank's financial health.
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- Increased Regulatory Scrutiny: The failure of MFS has triggered greater regulatory scrutiny regarding the interconnectedness of banks with specialist lenders and private credit funds, with industry experts emphasizing the need for robust operational controls to mitigate risks associated with complex financing chains.
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