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Speculation from various sources has suggested that the bank is aiming to raise as much as £4 billion through the issue, but no figures have been forthcoming from the business itself.
Both new and existing holders of Barclays' stocks and shares are expected to have the chance to invest in the bank, which is the currently the third largest in the UK.
The confirmation of a planned share issue came as the bank gave a positive trading update that saw its share price increase by almost 12 per cent, the Financial Times reports.
Meanwhile, stocks and shares in a number of other high-profile banking groups in the UK, including Alliance & Leicester and HBOS, saw their value rise as markets opened in London.
