LONDON - BARCLAYS is in regular talks with its Japanese investor Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp over a wealth management alliance in Japan, the head of the British bank's wealth management division said in an interview published on Wednesday.

'We want to bring the client capacity of Sumitomo Mitusi together with the product and global reach of Barclays Wealth,' Barclays' Tom Kalaris was quoted as saying by the Financial Times.

Sumitomo Mitsui, Japan's third-largest bank, invested 500 million pounds (S$1.2 billion) in Barclays in July 2008, giving it a 2 per cent stake at the time.

Mr Kalaris also said Barclays Wealth was interested in further global acquisitions after its purchase of Lehman Brothers' North American private investment management business last September, without giving details. -- REUTERS