Group Profile

Barclays at a Glance

Key Facts

Barclays is a major global financial services provider engaged in retail and commercial banking, credit cards, investment banking, wealth management and investment management services with an extensive international presence in Europe, the Americas, Africa and Asia.

With over 300 years of history and expertise in banking, Barclays operates in more than 50 countries and employs approximately 155,000 people. Barclays moves, lends, invests and protects money for more than 49 million customers and clients worldwide.

Our Structure

Barclays is made up of two ‘Clusters’: Global Retail and Commercial Banking (GRCB), and Investment Banking and Investment Management (IBIM), each of which has a number of Business Units.

The third major area of the business is Group Centre, which comprises all our essential support functions.

Our Leadership
Barclays Group Chairman is Marcus Aguis, and the Group Chief Executive is Robert E. Diamond. They are supported by Barclays Executive Committee and the Board of Directors.

Global Presence

Barclays Group headquarters is at 1 Churchill Place in London, UK, but we have operations all over the world, with products and services to meet the needs of customers and clients in local markets.

Barclays Firsts in Figures

• 2008 Barclays is the first bank in the UK to announce a mass roll-out of contactless-enabled debit cards
• 2007 Barclaycard Breathe is the first UK credit card to reward customers for making green purchasing decisions
• 2001 Barclays partnership with five international banks offers 40 million customers free access to ATMs.
• 1999 Barclays is the first UK bank to offer customers a mortgage in Euros to buy a British home
• 1998 Barclays opens the UK’s first drive-through ATM
• 1997 Barclays launches the first PC banking service for small businesses
• 1995 Barclays is the first financial institution to launch a website
• 1991 Barclays is the first UK business to sponsor a non-fiction TV programme, travel show Wish You Were Here
• 1987 Barclays launches Barclays Connect, the UK’s first debit card
• 1986 Barclays is the first British bank to have its shares listed on the New York Stock Exchange
• 1981 Barclays is the first foreign bank to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington
• 1977 Barclays is the first UK bank to introduce Personal Bankers
• 1972 Barclays is the first UK bank to advertise on TV
• 1967 Barclays unveils ‘Barclaycash’, the world’s first ATM
• 1966 Barclays launches Barclaycard, Britain’s first credit card
• 1961 Barclays opens the UK’s first computer centre for banking
• 1958 Barclays appoints the UK’s first female branch manager
• 1902 Barclays obtains its listing on the London Stock Exchange