LONDON (Reuters) -Barclays ( BCS ) will buy U.S. personal loan originator Best Egg

for $800 million, the British bank said on Tuesday, as it tries to add scale in its personal banking business in the United States.

"The deep and sophisticated U.S. consumer finance market offers rich prospects for growth at Barclays ( BCS )," CEO C.S. Venkatakrishnan said.

Barclays ( BCS ) said the deal will help it build scale in the U.S. market, where its personal banking presence lags much bigger incumbent domestic banks.

The deal will add two million customers, Barclays ( BCS ) said, as well as diversifying its income by adding more capital-light servicing fees as opposed to interest income and interchange fees.

Barclays ( BCS ) said it expects the deal to close in the second quarter of 2026, after the completion of the previously announced sale of its American Airlines co-branded credit card receivables.