Barclays PLC announced that its US consumer banking subsidiary, Barclays Bank Delaware (operating as Barclays US Consumer Bank), has agreed to acquire Best Egg, Inc. for $800 million. The deal is subject to regulatory approvals and other conditions.
Best Egg is a direct-to-consumer personal loan platform focused on prime borrowers. Since its founding in 2013, it has facilitated over $40 billion in personal loans to more than two million customers. In 2025, the company is expected to facilitate more than $7 billion in personal loan originations through its platform. The business currently services about $11 billion in personal loans and employs around 500 people.
The acquisition will allow Barclays to continue Best Egg’s current model of originating and servicing loans, with most income generated from fees rather than holding large volumes of loans on its own balance sheet. After the transaction closes, Barclays plans to retain a small portion of new lending flow on its books.
Best Egg’s operations are seen as complementary to Barclays US Consumer Bank’s existing credit card business, which provides unsecured lending through co-branded card programs. The purchase is intended to enhance digital and risk management capabilities for Barclays in the US consumer finance market.
C.S. Venkatakrishnan, Group Chief Executive of Barclays, said: “The deep and sophisticated US consumer finance market offers rich prospects for growth at Barclays. The Transaction will strengthen our US Consumer Bank and offers an exciting opportunity to significantly bolster our capabilities in personal lending.”
Denny Nealon, Chief Executive of Barclays US Consumer Bank, commented: “This acquisition represents a significant step forward in our strategy to grow and diversify our US consumer banking business. As a leader in the personal loans market, Best Egg gives us the ability to reach more US consumers through a proven platform that has been successful for over a decade. We look forward to welcoming Best Egg’s customers as well as its talented and experienced management team and colleagues upon closing in 2026.”
Paul Ricci, Chief Executive Officer of Best Egg, added: “At Best Egg, we are driven by a mission to empower people with financial confidence and flexibility through our suite of lending products and financial health tools. Joining forces with Barclays marks a pivotal moment in our journey – one that amplifies our ability to reach even more people through innovative lending solutions that truly make a difference. This transaction is a testament to the strength of the incredible business we’ve built over the past 12 years, our talented team, and the trust we’ve earned from our customers. Together with Barclays, we’re excited to accelerate our growth and continue shaping the future of consumer finance in ways that are both meaningful and impactful.”
The deal values Best Egg at a high-single digit Price/Earnings multiple based on expected 2026 earnings after tax while excluding one-off transaction effects.
Completion is expected by Q2 2026 following regulatory approval and after completion of Barclay’s previously-announced sale of American Airlines co-brand credit card receivables. According to Barclays’ estimates, both transactions together will increase the group’s CET1 ratio by approximately six basis points in Q2 2026; however, acquiring Best Egg alone will consume about sixteen basis points of CET1 capital upon completion.
Barclays expects this acquisition—including synergy realization—to generate returns comparable over time with those from its three highest-returning UK businesses. It anticipates accretion for both Return on Tangible Equity (RoTE) at USCB level by 2027 (supporting mid-teens RoTE target post-2026) as well as accretion for overall group RoTE and Earnings Per Share also by 2027.
Financial advisory support for this transaction comes from Barclays Capital Inc., advising Barclays Bank Delaware; Goldman Sachs & Co LLC serves as adviser for Best Egg.
More details can be found on the official investor relations website.