BRITISH bank Barclays PLC yesterday reported a 76 percent fall in pretax profit to 327 million pounds (US$527 million) in the third quarter due to a loss at its investment banking arm and write-downs.

The group took a 947 million pound charge on its own credit. Investment branch Barclays Capital, meanwhile, reported a pretax loss of 182 million pounds, down from a 369 billion pound profit a year earlier.

The banking group's top-line revenues for the quarter fell 10 percent to 7.41 billion pounds. It did not report a net profit figure.

Barclays, one of the few British banks not to resort to a government bailout, said it is "well equipped" to deal with new, tougher capital requirements, the Basel III rules.

"Our income and profit performance was resilient for the first nine months of 2010 despite a subdued economic environment and moderate volumes," said Chief Executive John Varley.

While profits were up at Barclays' retail division, the slower performance in the investment arm reflects weaker market activity across the sector.

Barclays shares rose 2.5 percent to 292.7 pence on the London Stock Exchange.