Barclays Plc confirmed that it has held talks about possibly selling its iShares exchange-traded funds unit, although it hasn’t conclusively decided to sell the business.

The London-based firm released a statement Monday confirming that it “has held discussions with a number of potentially interested parties” about possibly selling its iShares business as part of the practice of regularly reviewing its businesses. “No decision regarding the disposal of any business has been taken by the board of Barclays,” it adds.

Barclays also said that its businesses continue to perform well and have had a strong start to 2009. However, it also confirmed that it is in discussions with the UK’s Treasury department and the Financial Services Authority regarding its potential participation in the government’s asset protection scheme.

“Barclays decision whether and to what extent to participate in the scheme will be based on the economic merits to shareholders of any such participation,” the bank said.

IE