Indeed. Barclays has long been a financial backer of Parker, putting up money in his successful HP bid for old US, elbowing out BofA (old US credit card issuer) thereafter. BofA sued for breach of contract, but they all eventually settled.

Barclays was one of two financial advisers to US in the AA merger negotiations.

With Parker soon to be in the driver's seat and after the Citi/AA contracts expire, I'd be surprised if Barclays doesn't emerge numero uno again.