Free Writing Prospectus (To the Prospectus dated August 27, 2008 and Prospectus Supplement dated August 27, 2008) Filed Pursuant to Rule 433 Registration No. 333-145845 January 13, 2009

$[—]   100% Principal Protected Notes due January 14, 2011 Linked to the Performance of the Swiss Franc   Medium-Term Notes, Series A, No. F-90

Key Terms:	Terms used in this free writing prospectus, but not defined herein, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the prospectus supplement.
Issuer:	Barclays Bank PLC (Rated AA-/Aa1‡)
Initial Valuation Date:	January 13, 2009
Issue Date:	January 16, 2009
Final Valuation Date:	January 11, 2011*
Maturity Date:	January 14, 2011* (resulting in a term to maturity of approximately 2 years)
Denominations:	Minimum denomination of $1,000, and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.
Interest:	We will not pay you interest during the term of the Notes.
Reference Asset:	The currency exchange rate between the U.S. Dollar and the Swiss Franc (the “USDCHF”). The USDCHF currency exchange rate, on any given day, including the initial valuation date and final valuation date, will be determined by the calculation agent as the reference level or spot rate, which will be determined by the calculation agent in accordance with the description under “Reference Assets—Currency Exchange Rates” in the prospectus supplement.
Knock-out Barrier:	[—], initial level multiplied by 75%-80%** **     The actual knock-out barrier will be set on the initial valuation date and will not be more than 80% of the initial level
Rebate Rate:	4.25%
Principal Protection Percentage:	100%
Payment at Maturity:	If the level of the reference asset is below the knock-out barrier at any time (including intraday) between the initial valuation date and the final valuation date, inclusive, you will receive at maturity a cash payment equal to (a) the principal amount of your Notes plus (b) the principal amount multiplied by the rebate rate. If the level of the reference asset is at or above the knock-out barrier at all times between the initial valuation date and the final valuation date, inclusive, and: •        if the reference asset return is positive, you will receive (a) the principal amount of your Notes plus (b) the principal amount multiplied the reference asset return: $1,000 + [$1,000 x (reference asset return)] •        if the reference asset return is negative, you will receive the principal amount of your Notes. Your principal is only protected if you hold the Notes to maturity.
Reference Asset Return:	The performance of the reference asset from the initial level to the final level, calculated as follows: Initial Level – Final Level Final Level Initial Level = [—], the reference level of USDCHF on the initial valuation date. Final Level = The reference level of USDCHF on the final valuation date.
Calculation Agent:	Barclays Bank PLC
Business Day:	New York
CUSIP/ISIN:	06738Q B64 and US06738QB649

‡ The Notes are expected to carry the same rating as the Medium-Term Notes Program, Series A, which is rated AA- by Standard & Poor’s, a division of the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc, and will be rated Aa1 by Moody’s Investor Services, Inc. The rating is subject to downward revision, suspension or withdrawal at any time by the assigning rating organization. The rating (1) does not take into account market risk or the performance-related risks of the investment (including, without limitation, the risks associated with the potential negative performance of any reference asset to which the Notes are linked), and (2) is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities.

* Subject to postponement in the event of a market disruption event and as described under “Reference Assets—Currency Exchange Rates—Market Disruption Events for Notes with the Reference Asset Comprised of a Currency Exchange Rate or Currency Exchange Rates” in the prospectus supplement.

Investing in the Notes involves a number of risks. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-3 of the prospectus supplement and “Selected Risk Considerations” beginning on page FWP-4 of this free writing prospectus.

The Notes will not be listed on any U.S. securities exchange or quotation system. Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined that this free writing prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The Notes constitute our direct, unconditional, unsecured and unsubordinated obligations and are not deposit liabilities of Barclays Bank PLC and are not insured by the U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency of the United States, the United Kingdom or any other jurisdiction.

	Price to Public	Agent’s Commission	Proceeds to Barclays Bank PLC
Per Note	100.00%	[—]%	[—]%
Total	$[—]	$[—]	$[—]

Barclays Bank PLC has filed a registration statement (including a prospectus) with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for the offering to which this free writing prospectus relates. Before you invest, you should read the prospectus dated August 27, 2008, and the prospectus supplement dated August 27, 2008, and other documents Barclays Bank PLC has filed with the SEC for more complete information about Barclays Bank PLC and this offering. Buyers should rely upon the prospectus, prospectus supplement, and any relevant free writing prospectus or pricing supplement for complete details. You may get these documents and other documents Barclays Bank PLC has filed for free by visiting EDGAR on the SEC website at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, Barclays Bank PLC or any agent or dealer participating in this offering will arrange to send you the prospectus, prospectus supplement, preliminary pricing supplement, if any, and final pricing supplement (when completed) and this free writing prospectus if you request it by calling your Barclays Bank PLC sales representative, such dealer or 1-888-227-2275 (Extension 1101). A copy of the prospectus may be obtained from Barclays Capital, 200 Cedar Knolls Road, Building E, 4th Floor—Attn: US Syndicate Operations, Whippany, NJ 07981.

You may revoke your offer to purchase the Notes at any time prior to the time at which we accept such offer by notifying the applicable agent. We reserve the right to change the terms of, or reject any offer to purchase the Notes prior to their issuance. In the event of any changes to the terms of the Notes, we will notify you and you will be asked to accept such changes in connection with your purchase. You may also choose to reject such changes in which case we may reject your offer to purchase.

ADDITIONAL TERMS SPECIFIC TO THE NOTES

You should read this free writing prospectus together with the prospectus dated August 27, 2008, as supplemented by the prospectus supplement dated August 27, 2008 relating to our Medium-Term Notes, Series A, of which these Notes are a part. This free writing prospectus, together with the documents listed below, contains the terms of the Notes and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous oral statements as well as any other written materials including preliminary or indicative pricing terms, correspondence, trade ideas, structures for implementation, sample structures, brochures or other educational materials of ours. You should carefully consider, among other things, the matters set forth in “Risk Factors” in the prospectus supplement, as the Notes involve risks not associated with conventional debt securities. We urge you to consult your investment, legal, tax, accounting and other advisors before you invest in the Notes.

You may access these documents on the SEC website at www.sec.gov as follows (or if such address has changed, by reviewing our filings for the relevant date on the SEC website):

• Prospectus dated August 27, 2008:

http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/312070/000119312508185504/d424b3.htm

• Prospectus Supplement dated August 27, 2008:

http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/312070/000119312508185517/d424b3.htm

Our SEC file number is 1-10257. As used in this free writing prospectus, the “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our” refers to Barclays Bank PLC.

Program Credit Rating

The Notes are issued under the Medium-Term Notes Program, Series A (the “Program”). The Notes are expected to carry the rating of the Program, which is rated AA- by Standard & Poor's, a division of the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc (“S&P”), and will be rated Aa1 by Moody’s Investor Services, Inc. (“Moody’s”). An AA- rating from S&P generally indicates that the issuer’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligations arising from the Program is very strong. An Aa1 rating by Moody’s indicates that the Program is currently judged by Moody’s to be an obligation of high quality and is subject to very low credit risk. The credit rating is a statement of opinion and not a statement of fact and is subject to downward revisions, suspension or withdrawal at any time by the assigning rating agency. The rating (1) does not take into account market risk or the performance-related risks of the investment (including, without limitation, the risks associated with the potential negative performance of any reference asset to which the Notes are linked), and (2) is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities.

Hypothetical Examples of Amounts Payable at Maturity

The examples set forth below are provided for illustration purposes only. Assumptions in each of the examples are purely fictional and do not relate to any actual reference level or basket performance. The hypothetical terms do not represent the terms of an actual Note. The examples are hypothetical, and do not purport to be representative of every possible scenario concerning increases or decreases in the reference level of the reference asset on the final valuation date relative to the reference level on the initial valuation date. We cannot predict the reference asset return.

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The following examples illustrate the payment at maturity assuming an initial investment of $1,000 and that the reference levels of the basket components are as indicated.

Example 1: The knock-out barrier was never breached and the U.S. Dollar strengthens against the Swiss Franc on the final valuation date, with the initial level of 1.1125 rising to a final level of 1.3350. (The final level’s increase over the initial level reflects a greater number Swiss Francs per U.S. dollar.)

Because the knock-out barrier was never breached and the final level of 1.3350 is greater than the initial level of 1.1125, the investor receives a payment at maturity the principal amount of $1,000.00 per Note.

Example 2: The knock-out barrier was never breached and the U.S. Dollar weakens against the Swiss Franc, with the initial level of 1.1125 decreases to a final level of 1.0013. (The final level’s decrease over the initial level reflects a lesser number Swiss Francs per U.S. dollar.)

Because the knock-out barrier was never breached and the final level of 1.0013 is less than the initial level of 1.1125, resulting in a reference asset return of 11.11%, the investor receives a payment at maturity of $1,100 per $1,000 principal amount Note calculated as follows:

$1,000 + ($1,000 x reference asset return)

$1,000 + ($1,000 x 11.11%) = $1,111

Therefore, the payment at maturity is $1,111 per $1,000 principal amount Note, representing a 11.11% return on investment over the term of the Notes.

Example 3: The level of USDCHF is below the knock-out barrier of 0.89 at a time (including intraday) between the initial valuation date and final valuation date

Because the knock-out barrier of 0.89 was breached during the term of the Notes, the investor receives a payment at maturity of $1,042.50 per $1,000 principal amount Note calculated as follows:

$1,000 + ($1,000 x rebate rate)

$1,000 + ($1,000 x 4.25%) = $1,042.50

Therefore, the payment at maturity is $1,042.50 per $1,000 principal amount Note, representing a 4.25% return on investment over the term of the Notes.

Selected Purchase Considerations

• Market Disruption Events and Adjustments—The payment at maturity, the final valuation date and the final level of the reference asset are subject to adjustment as described in the following sections of the prospectus supplement:

• For a description of what constitutes a market disruption event as well as the consequences of that market disruption event, see “Reference Assets—Currency Exchange Rates—Market Disruption Events Relating to Notes with the Reference Asset Comprised of a Currency Exchange Rate or Currency Exchange Rates”; and

• For a description of further adjustments that may affect the reference asset, see “Reference Assets—Currency Exchange Rates—Adjustments Relating to Notes with the Reference Asset Comprised of a Currency Exchange Rate or Currency Exchange Rates”.

• Appreciation Potential—The Notes provide the opportunity to enhance returns by entitling you to the positive reference asset return at maturity if the final level of reference asset is less than the initial level and the knock-out barrier was never breached or the rebate rate if the knock-out barrier was breached during the term of the Notes, in addition to the principal amount of your Notes.

• Preservation of Capital at Maturity—You will receive at least 100% of the principal amount of your Notes if you hold your Notes to maturity, regardless of the performance of the reference asset. Because the Notes are our senior unsecured obligations, payment of any amount at maturity is subject to our ability to pay our obligations as they become due.

• Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations—Some of the tax consequences of your investment in the Notes are summarized below. The discussion below supplements the discussion under ‘‘Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” in the accompanying prospectus supplement. As described in the prospectus supplement, this section applies to you only if you hold your Notes as capital assets for tax purposes and does not apply to you if you are a member of a class of holders subject to special rules or are otherwise excluded from the discussion in the prospectus supplement.

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The following section is the opinion of our special tax counsel, Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, and it assumes that the description of the terms of the Notes in this free writing prospectus is materially correct. The Notes will be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as contingent payment debt instruments. Under applicable U.S. Treasury Regulations governing debt obligations with payments denominated in, or determined by reference to, more than one currency, for persons whose functional currency is the U.S. dollar, the Notes will not be foreign currency denominated debt obligations because the “predominant” currency of the Notes is the U.S. dollar. Accordingly, we will treat the Notes as being denominated in U.S. dollars, and payments on the Notes determined by reference to currencies other than the U.S. dollar as contingent payments under the special federal income tax rules applicable to contingent payment debt obligations. Under these rules, if you are a U.S. individual or taxable entity, you generally will be required to accrue interest on a current basis in respect of the Notes over their term based on the comparable yield for the Notes and pay tax accordingly, even though you will not receive any payments from us until maturity. This comparable yield is determined solely to calculate the amount on which you will be taxed prior to maturity and is neither a prediction nor a guarantee of what the actual yield will be. In addition, any gain you may recognize on the sale or maturity of the Notes will be taxed as ordinary interest income and any loss you may realize on the sale or maturity of the Notes would generally be ordinary loss to the extent of the interest you previously included as income in respect of the Notes and thereafter would be capital loss. If you are a secondary purchaser of the Notes, the tax consequences to you may be different.

If the knock-out barrier is breached on a day that is more than 6 months before the maturity date, applicable Treasury regulations provide that holders should adjust the interest inclusions in respect of their Notes over the remaining term for the Notes in a reasonable manner. You should consult your tax advisor as to what would be a "reasonable manner" in this situation.

For a further discussion of the tax treatment of your Notes, including information regarding obtaining the comparable yield for your Notes, please see the discussion under the heading “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations—U.S. Federal Income Tax Treatment of the Notes as Indebtedness for U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes—Contingent Payment Debt Instruments” in the accompanying prospectus supplement.

Selected Risk Considerations

An investment in the Notes involves significant risks. Investing in the Notes is not equivalent to investing directly in the basket components. These risks are explained in more detail in the “Risk Factors” section of the prospectus supplement, including the risk factors discussed under the following headings:

• “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to All Notes”;

• “Risk Factors—Additional Risks Relating to Notes Which Pay No Interest”;

• “Risk Factors—Additional Risks Relating to Notes with a Barrier Percentage or a Barrier Level”; and

• “Risk Factors—Additional Risks Relating to Notes with Reference Assets that are Currencies, an Index Containing Currencies or Based in Part on Currencies”.

In addition to the risks described above, you should consider the following:

• Notes Bullish on the Swiss Francs—The return on the Notes will only be positive if the U.S. dollar weakens relative to the Swiss Franc. If the U.S. dollar appreciates in value relative to the Swiss Franc over the term of the Notes, the payment at maturity, and therefore the market value of the Notes, will be adversely affected.

• The Notes Might Not Pay More Than the Principal Amount—You may receive a lower payment at maturity than you would have received if you had invested in the reference asset directly. If the reference asset return is not positive and knock-out barrier was breached during the term of the Notes, you will not receive a payment at maturity of more than the principal amount of your Notes.

• Your Maximum Gain on the Notes Is Limited—If the knock-out barrier was breached during the term of the Notes, for each $1,000 principal amount Note, you will receive at maturity a rebate rate of 4.25% instead of the positive reference asset return. Thus your return on the Notes will never exceed 25% (assuming the knock-out barrier is 80% of the initial level, the actual level of which will be set on the initial valuation date).

• No Interest—As a holder of the Notes, you will not receive interest payments.

• Certain Built-In Costs Are Likely to Adversely Affect the Value of the Notes Prior to Maturity—While the payment at maturity described in this free writing prospectus is based on the full principal amount of your Notes, the original issue price of the Notes includes the agent’s commission and the cost of hedging our obligations under the Notes through one or more of our affiliates. As a result, the price, if any, at which Barclays Capital Inc. and other affiliates of Barclays Bank PLC will be willing to purchase Notes from you in secondary market transactions will likely be lower than the original issue price, and any sale prior to the maturity date could result in a substantial loss to you. The Notes are not designed to be short-term trading instruments. Accordingly, you should be able and willing to hold your Notes to maturity.

• Lack of Liquidity—The Notes will not be listed on any securities exchange. Barclays Capital Inc. and other affiliates of Barclays Bank PLC intend to offer to purchase the Notes in the secondary market but are not required to do so. Even if there is a secondary market, it may not provide enough liquidity to allow you to trade or sell the Notes easily. Because other dealers are not likely to make a secondary market for the Notes, the price at which you may be able to trade your Notes is likely to depend on the price, if any, at which Barclays Capital Inc. and other affiliates of Barclays Bank PLC are willing to buy the Notes.

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• Potential Conflicts—We and our affiliates play a variety of roles in connection with the issuance of the Notes, including acting as calculation agent and hedging our obligations under the Notes. In performing these duties, the economic interests of the calculation agent and other affiliates of ours are potentially adverse to your interests as an investor in the Notes.

• Many Economic and Market Factors Will Impact the Value of the Notes—In addition to the levels of the basket components on any day, the value of the Notes will be affected by a number of economic and market factors that may either offset or magnify each other, including:

• the expected demand or supply for the basket components;

• the time to maturity of the Notes;

• interest and yield rates in the market generally;

• a variety of economic, financial, political, regulatory or judicial events, especially those affecting the exchange rate between U.S. dollar and Swiss franc; and

• our creditworthiness, including actual or anticipated downgrades in our credit ratings.

Reference Level

The reference level of the USDCHF currency exchange rate on January 8, 2009 was 1.1125.

Historical Information

The following graph set forth the historical performance of the Swiss Franc based on the daily, closing currency exchange rates from January 2, 2001 through January 8, 2009. We obtained the information regarding this closing currency exchange rate of the USDCHF below from Bloomberg L.P.

We make no representation or warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of the information obtained from Bloomberg L.P. The historical performance closing currency exchange rate of the USDCHF should not be taken as an indication of future performance of the fixing rates, and no assurance can be given as to the reference levels on the basket final valuation date. We cannot give you assurance that the performance of the USDCHF currency exchange rate will result in any return in addition to your initial investment.

PAST PERFORMANCE IS NOT INDICATIVE OF FUTURE RESULTS.

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