BARCLAYS BANK yesterday announced a deal to sell its US mortgage

banking operation which is expected to net the group about #31m. It has

signed an agreement for Norwest to buy the $15bn mortgage servicing

portfolio and back-up facilities of its Barclays American/Mortgage (BAM)

operation. Subject to regulatory approval, the acquisition is expected

to be completed in the next three months.

In 1993, Barclays reported a loss in respect of BAM of #236m,

including a special charge of #265m. At June 30, 1994, a profit of #4m

was reported after a charge of #26m.

Richard Webb, Barclays' chief executive (North America), said:

''Barclays strategy in the United States is to concentrate on serving

investment banking clients, particularly those whose requirements are

global. A mortgage servicing business does not easily fit that

objective.''