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Barclays PLC-News & Media Reports (BARC)     

banjomick - 28 Apr 2016 14:25 - 66 of 111

Barclays announces further Non-Core disposal - Agreement to sell its Barclaycard business in Spain and Portugal
28 Apr 2016 10:18

Barclays Bank PLC (“Barclays”) today announces that it has agreed to sell its Barclaycard consumer payments business in Portugal and Spain to Bancopopular-e, a Spanish online bank 51% owned by Varde Partners and 49% owned by Banco Popular Espanol, S.A.

While the Barclaycard business in Portugal and Spain is an attractive and strong business it does not fit with Barclays’ strategy to focus on scale businesses in core territories going forward and therefore became part of Barclays Non-Core in March 2016.

The business comprises approximately £1.0bn of assets. It is being sold at a small premium to gross receivables and its sale will also result in a reduction in Non-Core costs. It is estimated that the transaction will result in a decrease in Risk Weighted Assets of approximately £0.9bn. Customers and employees will also transfer to Bancopopular-e. Completion, which is subject to regulatory approvals, is expected to occur by the end of the year.

The transaction has no impact on Barclays’ existing corporate and investment banking businesses in Spain and Portugal, which continue to be important elements within the Group’s franchise.

Jes Staley, Group Chief Executive, Barclays, said:

“I am delighted by the speed with which we are continuing to reduce our Non-Core exposure and costs. Our credit card operation in Spain and Portugal is a very good business with a highly talented and dedicated workforce but no longer fits with our strategic ambitions. I am sure it will continue to thrive as part of the Bancopopular-e business.

“Agreeing the sale of this business is further tangible progress towards our target of managing down Risk Weighted Assets in Barclays Non-Core to around £20bn in 2017.”

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banjomick - 28 Apr 2016 15:48 - 67 of 111

15:45 Barclays PLC (BARC) Result of AGM

http://www.moneyam.com/action/news/showArticle?id=5331195

banjomick - 05 May 2016 08:43 - 68 of 111

PLACING OF 103.6 MILLION ORDINARY SHARES IN BARCLAYS AFRICA GROUP LIMITED ("BARCLAYS AFRICA")

5 May 2016

http://www.moneyam.com/action/news/showArticle?id=5335256

banjomick - 12 May 2016 13:05 - 69 of 111

Barclays launches its own contactless payments service for Android phones
12 May 2016 09:00

•Barclays is introducing a new service which will enable customers to use their compatible Android phone to make contactless payments

•Set-up is very quick and easy within the Barclays Mobile Banking app - eligible Barclays debit and credit cards appear automatically in the app and there is no need to enter card details

Barclays today announced it will be rolling out its own contactless payment service which will allow Barclays customers with an eligible NFC-enabled Android phone to pay quickly and easily at any of the 400,000 contactless locations in the UK and across the London transport network.

‘Contactless Mobile’ builds upon the functionality launched to Barclaycard customers earlier this year and sees Barclays become the first UK bank to offer its own, integrated service enabling contactless payments for both debit cards and credit cards on Android phones.

Contactless card payments have seen huge growth as consumers have recognised the ease, speed and convenience they offer. Incorporating Contactless Mobile into the Barclays Mobile Banking app is a natural extension for customers and will mean Barclays can offer contactless payments via a smartphone for both credit and debit card holders across the broadest range of handsets and operating systems.

Contactless Mobile enables customers to pay with their Android mobile device in a very similar way to using a physical contactless card. For payments of up to £30, customers simply tap their mobile device on the retailer terminal in the same way they would tap a physical card without needing to open an app, enter a PIN or verify with a fingerprint, making it quicker and simpler than other solutions. The service also allows contactless payments of between £30 and £100 by a tap of the mobile device, entering of the card’s normal PIN on the phone keypad, and tapping again.

The service is set up and managed within the Barclays Mobile Banking app, a convenient and familiar place for customers to manage their money which is used by 5 million Barclays customers who on average access the app 27 times per month. Set up is quick and easy as eligible Barclays debit cards and Barclaycard credit cards are automatically shown in the app meaning there is no need to enter card details. Integrating Contactless Mobile within the Barclays Mobile Banking app also means customers can view their Contactless Mobile transactions alongside their other account transactions in one familiar environment.

Contactless Mobile will be available in June. Once live, roll out to customers will be phased over a number of days and customers will be contacted by Barclays when the service becomes available.

Today’s announcement and other recent launches mean that Barclays and Barclaycard continue to offer the widest range of payment innovations designed to give customers unrivalled choice of paying for everyday goods and services, and sending and receiving money in a way that’s most convenient for them.


Ashok Vaswani, CEO of Barclays UK, said: “Giving customers the choice about how to make everyday payments while making it really easy for people to use our services is why we’ve designed this new contactless payment functionality which will sit at the heart of our already popular mobile banking app. It’s all there, in one place, ready to go with no need to enter card details, delivering a brilliant experience in an instant.

“Barclays Contactless Mobile is the latest in a series of digital innovations we have launched that allow customers to ‘Pay it your way!’ - carrying out day to day transactions in the ways that suit them and we hope that it will help customers become more confident using digital solutions and new technologies.”

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banjomick - 16 May 2016 10:10 - 70 of 111

Barclays Non-Core rundown continues
16 May 2016 09:41

Barclays announces the sale of its precious metals storage business in the UK, including its vaulting facility and, subject to counterparty consent, the transfer of the associated client and operational contracts to ICBC Standard Bank.

The vault has capacity to hold 2,000 tonnes of gold and has been operational since 2012. Barclays announced its intended exit from precious metals in January 2016 and moved the business into Barclays Non-Core.

Neither party will be disclosing the financial terms of the deal.

Commenting on the sale, John Mahon, Co-Head of Barclays Non-Core, said: “This sale represents further progress with our Non-Core rundown as we work to simplify Barclays’ operations and achieve our cost and capital reduction commitments.”

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banjomick - 24 May 2016 15:27 - 71 of 111

Barclays CEO Staley on Performance, Economy, Markets
1:37 PM BST
May 24, 2016

Barclays CEO Jes Staley discusses the bank's performance, risk of Brexit and the economy. He speaks with Bloomberg's Francine Lacqua on "Bloomberg Surveillance." (Source: Bloomberg)

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/videos/2016-05-24/barclays-ceo-staley-on-performance-economy-markets

banjomick - 02 Jun 2016 09:12 - 72 of 111

Accelerated rundown of Barclays Non-Core continues
01 Jun 2016 14:34

Barclays Bank PLC (“Barclays”) has today completed the sale of its insurance business in Italy to CNP Assurances.

37,000 customers and c.€700 million of Assets under Management will transfer to the purchaser as part of the deal in Italy. The sale also represents an annualised cost reduction of c.€5 million. Neither party will be disclosing further financial terms of the deal.

Barclays Vida y Pensiones Compañía de Seguros (BVP) was set up in 2009 to provide life insurance and pension products in Spain, Italy and Portugal. BVP has already sold its Portuguese insurance business to Bankinter Seguros de Vida, completed in April 2016.

Barclays also announced the proposed sale of its Italian retail bank to Chebanca! in December 2015. Barclays will continue to operate investment banking and corporate banking in Italy, and manage the remaining retail mortgage portfolio.

Commenting on the sale, Harry Harrison, Co-Head of Barclays Non-Core, said: “We continue to accelerate the rundown of Barclays Non-Core. As we sell these businesses, reducing cost, operational risk and capital allocation, we are revealing the underlying strength of the core business.”

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banjomick - 02 Jun 2016 12:34 - 73 of 111

Barclays: Can Jes do it?
Mark Baker
Published on: June 2016

Six months ago, Jes Staley took on a job that many of his peers said they did not envy. His task: to turn Barclays’ business performance around and create a clear strategic vision for a bank that had not adapted to a new regulatory and market environment. Work remains to be done, not least in agreeing a ring-fenced structure and improving returns at the investment bank. But the mood at Barclays appears to be brightening.

Jes_Staley%20600x400.gif

In 189 words, Barclays CEO Jes Staley can tell you his strategy. He has done just that in a video for staff. To communicate it, he gives an elevator pitch – and not from just any elevator. This one starts at Barclays’ London headquarters at One Churchill Place. When Staley gets out of it, he is standing at Barclays in New York, 745 7th Avenue.

Full Article From Link Below

http://www.euromoney.com/Article/3559073/Barclays-Can-Jes-do-it.html?single=true

banjomick - 10 Jun 2016 11:54 - 74 of 111

Barclays announces fund for SMEs and entrepreneurs in Scotland
09 Jun 2016 09:00

Barclays has earmarked further capital to support small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in Scotland.

The bank is announcing a new £500m fund which has been introduced to address gaps in the current supply of finance for businesses in Scotland. It reflects Barclays’ commitment, in line with local government and economic strategy, to create a supportive environment for Scottish enterprise to grow.

Barclays currently looks after a high proportion of Scotland’s top 250 businesses, but has ambitious expansion plans to grow its presence across the board which includes small and medium businesses. To date, Barclays has provided over £500m to help Scottish SMEs obtain the necessary funding to grow their businesses with the new fund representing a commitment to double its support for businesses in Scotland.

With a strong team of accredited Relationship Directors, Agriculture & Real Estate specialists and High Growth Relationship Directors on the ground, the bank is expertly placed to help Scotland’s businesses regardless of size - from start-up stage, to scale up, and on to IPO.

Jamie Grant, Head of Business and Corporate Banking for Barclays Scotland said: “We believe we are equipped to help even more businesses realise their ambitions. We have a strong history of building relationships with many of the country’s leading companies while our global reach means we have the knowledge and expertise to help Scotland’s businesses compete on a world stage.

“We are committed to pioneering in digital, having been the first bank to launch Pingit, pre-assessed lending and, coming soon, our SmartBusiness service. Our newly launched high growth team means we can help the next generation of innovators and we want to be the bank of choice for anyone starting or growing their business.”

As part of this extended focus the bank recently delivered a £12m funding package to Ayrshire-based Lorimer Care Homes which enabled the business to acquire an additional three sites to its portfolio.

Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Keith Brown said: “This is positive news and will be a real boost for Scotland’s SMEs, which are the lifeblood of our economy. We know it is crucial that viable SMEs are able to access a range of finance to start-up and grow their business, and I hope many businesses can benefit from today’s announcement from Barclays. Scotland is already a great place to do business, but the Scottish Government is determined to maintain a strongly competitive business environment, and ensure the conditions are right for SMEs to flourish. That will help stimulate economic growth and create and protect jobs across Scotland.”

The pledge follows Barclays’ latest commitment to support fast growing companies- Barclays High Growth & Entrepreneurs, which includes two direct funds for innovative companies: Innovation Finance and a venture debt fund.

Lena Wilson, Chief Executive, Scottish Enterprise said: “This investment by Barclays is fantastic news for SMEs across Scotland. Access to funding is absolutely critical to enabling SME’s to thrive at home and around the world, supporting them to invest in innovation, workforce development, and international activity. We will continue to work closely with Barclays and our partners to support company growth.”

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banjomick - 10 Jun 2016 11:57 - 75 of 111

Accelerated rundown of Barclays Non-Core continues
10 Jun 2016 11:38

Barclays Bank PLC has today completed the sale and transfer of its Spanish pension assets and liabilities to Vidacaixa, S.A.U. de Seguros y Reaseguros, a member of the Caixa Group.

35,000 customers and c.€350 million of Assets under Management will transfer to the purchaser as part of the agreement. The sale also represents further progress against Barclays cost and RWA reduction targets. Neither party will be disclosing further financial terms of the deal.

Barclays Vida y Pensiones Compañía de Seguros (BVP) provides life insurance and pension products in Spain, Italy and Portugal. BVP has already sold its Portuguese insurance business to Bankinter Seguros de Vida, completed in April 2016, and its Italian life insurance business to CNP Assurances, announced earlier this month.

Barclays completed the sale of its Spanish retail bank to CaixaBank S.A. in January 2015, and announced the proposed sale of its Barclaycard consumer payments business in Spain and Portugal to Bancopopular-e in April 2016. Barclays continues to operate global corporate and investment banking in Spain.

Commenting on the sale, Harry Harrison, Co-Head of Barclays Non-Core, said: “This is another positive step in reducing the cost, operational risk and capital allocation within Barclays Non-Core, swiftly following the sale of our Italian insurance business last week. We are making good progress and continue to focus on our target of reducing RWAs in Barclays Non-Core to £20 billion by the end of 2017.”

About Barclays

Barclays is a transatlantic consumer, corporate and investment bank offering products and services across personal, corporate and investment banking, credit cards and wealth management, with a strong presence in our two home markets of the UK and the US.

With over 325 years of history and expertise in banking, Barclays operates in over 40 countries and employs approximately 130,000 people. Barclays moves, lends, invests and protects money for customers and clients worldwide.

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banjomick - 21 Jun 2016 16:09 - 76 of 111

Get Financially Fit With Barclays Financial Wings
21 Jun 2016 11:46

Barclays has today launched Financial Wings, an online personal finance hub designed to give people the knowledge and confidence to take control of their money and build the skills required to bolster their financial health.

Research carried out by Barclays showed that only 44 percent of customers felt knowledgeable about financial issues, with as many as 20 percent openly admitting to finding the topic overwhelming and confusing.

Financial Wings is available to everyone and looks at the three key areas of finances: getting your finances started, achieving your financial goals and addressing money worries.

Getting your finances started is designed to help people organise their money and planning their finances, e.g. whether what type of bank account best suits them, how to pay bills and how to understand their bank statement

Achieving your financial goals is designed to help people look at how they can save and/or borrowing money, e.g. put money away for a rainy day or take out a mortgage

Addressing money worries is designed to help make people in financial difficulty aware of the solutions that can help them pay down their debts and get back on track, e.g. debt management plans

The website employs gamification to help users engage with the information. Having completed the sections that they feel are relevant to their circumstances, users can test their knowledge and earn points in a series of games.

Clare Francis, Savings and Investing Expert at Barclays said:
“Financial Wings was created to empower people and give them the confidence to make better financial decisions. Every day we hear from customers who want to understand how to make the most of their money but find managing their finances a complex and daunting task. With Financial Wings we want to remove any fear or confusion by providing essential information in manageable chunks.

“For many of us the best way to learn is by doing, which is why we have included gaming elements within the website. We are committed to ensuring the nation is financially fit and believe that Financial Wings will help many to achieve this.”

Barclays partnered with consumer bodies including The Money Advice Trust, Which? and StepChange to develop content for Financial Wings.

Speaking about the launch of Barclays’ Financial Wings initiative David Haigh, director of financial capability at the Money Advice Service, said*:
“We welcome today’s launch of Barclays’ Financial Wings initiative. Equipping people with the knowledge, skills and confidence to manage their money well is vital to improving the stubbornly low levels of financial capability across the UK.”

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banjomick - 24 Jun 2016 10:17 - 77 of 111

UK votes to leave the European Union
24 Jun 2016

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Barclays Group Chief Executive Officer Jes Staley said: ‘The United Kingdom has voted to leave the European Union. This is a significant decision and there will be many questions asked in the coming days and weeks about what happens next. The answers are complex but our position is not: we will not break our stride in delivering the Barclays of the future.

‘Barclays has stood in service of our customers and clients for over 325 years. We have been here for them through equally profound changes before. And no matter what has been laid before us, we have been here to help them achieve their ambitions.

‘That does not change today. And through the uncertainty of the months ahead, be in no doubt that we are ready to do whatever it takes to uphold that promise.

‘The strategy we announced on 1 March was not conditional on the UK remaining in the EU. We are a transatlantic consumer, corporate and investment bank, anchored in the UK and the US. That remains the core of our strength and the Barclays of the future.’


a) What has Barclays done to prepare for a leave vote?

As you would expect, Barclays has put in place detailed plans for the eventuality that the UK referendum resulted in a vote to leave the European Union.

Barclays is prepared for any short-term volatility in the markets.

Barclays is a transatlantic consumer, corporate and investment bank, anchored in our two home markets of the UK and the US.

We have a strong business with a well-managed balance sheet and we are prepared for a number of potential scenarios.

b) What impact do you expect the leave vote to have on Barclays and its financial outlook?

Barclays is a stable and well capitalised international franchise with earnings diversification by geography and product mix.

While we expect potentially significant short-term volatility in the markets, we are well prepared for a number of eventualities.

c) Will there be any changes to Barclays' strategy, particularly the status as a ‘transatlantic’ bank?

The strategy remains the same – Barclays is a transatlantic consumer, corporate and investment bank, anchored in our two home markets in the leading financial centres of the world, the UK and the US.

We are confident that our current strategy will deliver a well-balanced and successful business that generates long-term sustainable returns.

As you would expect, we will continue to monitor the situation and respond as appropriate to any changes in our operating environment, while focusing on the immediate needs of our clients.

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banjomick - 01 Jul 2016 15:33 - 78 of 111

BARCLAYS KEEPS LENDING TAPS ON AFTER REFERENDUM RESULT
01 Jul 2016 09:00

Following the EU referendum result Barclays has announced it will continue its high levels of SME lending to UK businesses.

Under the announcement Barclays is:

Reaffirming that Barclays is well positioned to meet demand from SMEs for lending

•Maintaining its aim to beat last year’s strong record of £5.4bn in SME lending
•Confirming the bank has no plans to withdraw or increase the competitive rates it offers due to current economic uncertainty
•Committing to the 300,000 UK SMEs currently eligible for an instant overdraft or loan that they will continue to have access to these funds instantly in branch, by phone or online should they need it. Barclays will also continue to grow this market leading proposition.
•Providing additional business managers in our call centres who are on hand to support and guide SMEs on how to plan for uncertain times
•Boosting its specific funding for industries with high exposure to economic change including the technology and agriculture sectors, with further details to be announced in the coming days

Ian Rand, Chief Executive of Business Banking, Barclays, said: “Following the referendum many businesses will be reassessing their plans for growth and may need to re-plan or increase the resilience of their finances. It’s in times like these when strong banks should stand tall and help ensure the stability in our economy by continuing our commitment to lend. SMEs should know that even if their outlook is looking less clear, their bank is on their side and will support them through thick and thin.”

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banjomick - 05 Jul 2016 11:18 - 79 of 111

Barclays announces £100mn fund to boost UK Agriculture
05 Jul 2016 09:00

•Barclays ramps up support for UK agriculture with dedicated loan fund of £100mn* to boost industry

•Fund dedicated for farmers to invest in business efficiency, agri-tech and/or diversify into new revenue streams

•Support aids sector in time of market volatility and long term low prices that have put strain on the industry


Barclays is making £100mn available in loans to boost the UK agriculture sector, to help future-proof the industry for the next generation, improve efficiency and create additional revenue streams to limit effects of market volatility.

The multi-million pound fund will be available for farmers looking to modernise their infrastructure, helping to streamline their farming processes and increase efficiency. It will also assist farmers looking to reduce their farm’s exposure to market volatility by providing funds to invest in viable diversification projects either within agriculture or from non-agriculture sources.

The fund is in in addition to the ongoing support that Barclays offers to the sector. Loans from the fund have fixed fees starting at 0.6% for a loan term of 0-5 years, 0.75% for loans that are 6-10 years and rising to 0.90% for loan terms of 11-15 years.

Mark Suthern, Head of Agriculture at Barclays, said: “We are committed to supporting British farming and we are dedicating £100mn in lending solely for use within the farming industry to help boost the industry’s profitability and efficiency. This fund will provide essential investment; the fund will also make it easier for farmers to find alternate sources of income, decreasing the impact of price volatility on farm incomes.”

The fund comes at a time when the UK agriculture sector faces a number of challenges that have placed increasing pressure on farmers. From concerns about commodity prices, which have remained steadfastly low, to poor weather impacting output, adding further pressures to the industry.

Oliver McEntyre, National Agricultural Strategy Director at Barclays, added: “After the turbulent times of the last few years, many farm businesses have found ways to improve efficiency, this fund is released to assist the progression of this – it is not about increasing production, it is about helping our customers access the finance to invest in producing the same quality and quantity of product for less cost, or finding solid alternative income streams.”

Barclays supports over 20,000 UK farmers and, with a team of over 120 Agriculture Managers across the UK, has one of the biggest Agriculture banking team’s in the UK making it Britain’s leading agricultural bank.

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banjomick - 21 Jul 2016 12:16 - 80 of 111

ONS Retail stats: Barclays' comment
21 Jul 2016 10:00

http://www.ons.gov.uk/businessindustryandtrade/retailindustry/bulletins/retailsales/june2016

Commenting on today’s ONS Retail Sales figures, Ian Gilmartin, Head of Retail & Wholesale at Barclays, said:

“Although they missed economists’ expectations, the retail figures were better than many in the industry expected in June. There’s been a lot of focus on the impact the run-up to the EU referendum had on purchases. It may have had some influence on big ticket items, but I think this result shows that it’s important not to overplay the significance of the lead up to the vote on consumers’ buying decisions. We were also in full referendum mode in May, and yet managed to post a bumper set of results.

Despite the weather again letting us down in June, which really hurt footfall and meant that some summer lines continued to struggle, the industry held its own supported by more online growth. Footfall was further challenged by events like the Euro championship taking people off the high street so to deliver 4.3% year-on-year volume growth, accompanied by an increase in spend is impressive and retailers deserve credit for posting these numbers.

Looking at the last part of the month, after the referendum result was known, it’s too early to say what the impact on sales has been. The movement in the value of the pound will certainly have had a major effect on retailers’ short and longer term planning. We need to look carefully at the data over the next few months and make sure that the industry is adapting appropriately as we get more clarity on what the public’s decision means for the retail sector.”

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banjomick - 22 Jul 2016 11:51 - 81 of 111

Barclays confirms sale of shareholding in VocaLink to MasterCard
21 Jul 2016 13:32


Barclays confirms the sale of the majority of its shareholding in VocaLink Holdings Limited to MasterCard Incorporated for £104 million.

VocaLink operates payments technology platforms on behalf of UK payment schemes including BACS, Faster Payments and LINK. Barclays is one of the five largest shareholders, and was one of the original banks that founded Voca and LINK in 2003, which later merged to form VocaLink.

Barclays’ 15.18% shareholding will be reduced to c.1.5%. The agreement also provides the potential for a further maximum earn-out of £29 million if VocaLink’s performance targets are met.

The transaction is estimated to result in a pro forma CET1 ratio increase of c.3.4 bps upon completion, which is subject to regulatory approval.


About Barclays

Barclays is a transatlantic consumer, corporate and investment bank offering products and services across personal, corporate and investment banking, credit cards and wealth management, with a strong presence in our two home markets of the UK and the US.

With over 325 years of history and expertise in banking, Barclays operates in over 40 countries and employs approximately 130,000 people. Barclays moves, lends, invests and protects money for customers and clients worldwide.


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banjomick - 29 Jul 2016 09:43 - 82 of 111

Barclays PLC
29th July 2016

Results Announcement-Half-year Report

http://www.moneyam.com/action/news/showArticle?id=5387954

banjomick - 29 Jul 2016 15:28 - 83 of 111

Barclays shares jump as transatlantic refocus starts to pay off
Business | Fri Jul 29, 2016 2:17pm BST
LONDON | By Lawrence White and Sinead Cruise

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A corporate makeover at Barclays (BARC.L) under CEO Jess Staley showed signs of paying off on Friday as the British bank reported an improved performance in its key businesses, helping send its shares up more than 8 percent.

Staley in March set out a strategy to simplify the bank's structure and seek higher shareholder returns through the sale of the bulk of its Africa business and other assets, becoming a "transatlantic" bank focused on the United States and Britain.

It said on Friday profits from its core businesses, including consumer and commercial lending, credit cards and investment banking, rose 19 percent to 2.4 billion pounds ($3.2 billion) in the first half.

Group pretax profit fell 21 percent to 2 billion pounds, largely due to a loss of 1.9 billion on the non-core assets, which the bank has recommitted to offload, despite prospects of a possible economic downturn following Britain's vote to quit the European Union.

"Our assessment is that the Brexit vote in the UK will have no effect on our ability to run down Non-Core at an accelerated pace and we therefore remain confident in reiterating our goal of closing Non-Core in 2017," Staley told analysts.


The bank booked a 372 million pound impairment on the French retail banking business it is in talks to sell to AnaCap Financial Partners.

Other assets earmarked for sale include its Barclaycard consumer payments business in Spain and Portugal as well as almost all of its stake in its Africa unit. It has already sold its Asia wealth operations and Italian banking business.

"These are reassuringly good numbers," Brian Cullen, investment manager at S.W. Mitchell Capital, which owns Barclays shares, told Reuters. "We like the positive tone and the fact that they have resisted temptation to blame Brexit for changes in guidance."

Shares were trading up 8.6 percent at 159 pence by 1245 GMT (8:45 a.m. ET).


ON COURSE TO DELIVER

Confidence in Britain's economic outlook has dropped sharply since voters opted to leave the EU on June 23, triggering a fresh bout of pessimism in a sector bruised by the costs of tighter regulation, restructuring and record low interest rates.

But Staley said the bank had lent 2 billion pounds of mortgages to UK homebuyers since the Brexit vote, 8 percent more than the same period last year.

Barclays finance director Tushar Morzaria said the bank had no plans to accelerate branch closures in Britain, in contrast to Lloyds Banking Group (LLOY.L) which on Thursday announced a fresh 200 closures.

"We haven't put a target out there but it certainly won't be more than 100 this year," Morzaria said.

Barclays' investment banking unit saw income fall 5 percent in the first half as plunging revenue from a pared-back stock trading division offset improved returns from credit trading.

Total operating expenses fell by a tenth to 7.7 billion pounds, partly reflecting reduced litigation and conduct charges and tighter compensation costs. It said it remained on course to deliver a full-year cost target of 12.8 billion pounds on its core unit.

"Current-year profitability is being depressed by the accelerated run-off of non-core (assets) and we expect this drag to materially reduce in coming years," Shore Capital analyst Gary Greenwood said in a note.

Barclays has already cut its dividend from 6.5 pence per share to 3 pence from 2016 in order to maintain capital levels while it grapples with the expense of its revamp.

Barclays also took an additional 400 million pound impairment charge for consumer redress related to the mis-selling of payment protection insurance products in Britain, taking its total to 2 billion pounds.

The bank's core capital ratio, a key measure of financial strength, rose to 11.6 percent from 11.3 percent at the end of March, better than some analysts' expectations but still the lowest among major British lenders.

"Barclays is a bit of a Jekyll and Hyde character at the moment, but Doctor Jekyll is starting to gain more control, as all the grisly bits of the bank get wound down," Laith Khalaf, senior analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, said in a note.


(Editing by David Holmes and Mark Potter)



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banjomick - 01 Aug 2016 08:47 - 84 of 111

Barclays PLC

2016 EU-wide stress test results

Barclays was subject to the 2016 EU‐wide stress test conducted by the European Banking Authority (EBA), in cooperation with the Bank of England (BoE), the European Central Bank (ECB), the European Commission (EC) and the European Systemic Risk Board (ESRB).

Barclays notes the announcements made on 29 July 2016 by the EBA on the EU‐wide stress test. The stress test results in a reduction of Barclays CRD IV Fully Loaded Common Equity Tier 1 ("CET1") ratio to 7.3% from the 2015 year-end position of 11.4%. The 2016 EU‐wide stress test does not contain a pass fail threshold.

The adverse stress test scenario was set by the ECB/ESRB and covers a three‐year time horizon (2016‐2018). The stress test has been carried out applying a static balance sheet assumption as at December 2015, and therefore does not take into account subsequent or future business strategies and management actions. It is not a forecast of Barclays' profits.

While the results of the exercise will constitute an input to the 2016 supervisory review process, Barclays' capital requirements to cover against stress risks will primarily be informed by the BoE stress test, which is due to be published later this year.

Barclays' 30 June 2016 CET1 ratio was 11.6%, and Barclays remains comfortable with its target of building the ratio further to maintain a 100-150bps CET1 buffer above future regulatory CET1 levels. Barclays' 30 June 2016 CET1 ratio of 11.6% would provide a stress buffer of c.4% above the 2016 BoE stress test systemic reference point. Barclays intends to maintain a buffer around these levels in end-state.

Barclays' Euro-denominated results in the EBA template can be found at www.barclays.com/barclays-investor-relations/investor-news.html. The standardised disclosure templates have been developed by the EBA to help improve comparability and consistency between the stress test results of participating banks. The templates include detailed information on composition of capital, profit and loss, credit risk, sovereign exposures, securitisations, risk weighted assets and non-performing/forborne exposures.

http://www.moneyam.com/action/news/showArticle?id=5389035

banjomick - 31 Aug 2016 08:32 - 85 of 111

Barclays publishes complaints data for H1 2016
26 Aug 2016 10:00

Barclays has today published total reportable complaints figures for the first half of 2016.

A full breakdown of its Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) reportable complaints is available here: www.home.barclays/complaints.

In summary, compared to H1 2015:

•Complaints excluding Payment Protection Insurance are down 10%

•Banking complaints are down 11%

•Overall complaints levels remain steady (2% increase year on year)

Matt Hammerstein, Head of Client and Customer Experience at Barclays, said:

“We want everyone using Barclays to have a brilliant customer experience and will not stop until we achieve this. We are listening to feedback so we can fix the things that aren’t working and exceed what our customers expect from their bank.”

As part of our on-going commitment to deliver products and services that address what our customers want and need from their bank we have:

•Introduced voice security technology for all our customers to make our telephone banking service both easier to use and more secure. The technology identifies the caller based solely on their voice without the need to recall security questions or passwords. Not only does this make the process quicker and more stress free, it also helps protect our customers from fraud as voice is a highly personal form of identification.

•Worked to help our customers identify and protect themselves from fraud. We offer a dedicated fraud website where our customers can access everything they need to know, including top fraud prevention tips. We are the only UK bank to run a national TV advertising campaign warning people of some of the tactics used by scammers. Our Digital Eagles have also been working with our business customers to provide Cyber Security Business Club events across the country.

•Launched SmartBusiness to offer the power of a market research department to time-starved small business owners. SmartBusiness analyses business banking and card payment transactions to present data and intelligent insights to help customers manage and grow their business, identify opportunities and take informed actions and decisions.

•Opened Eagle Labs to give customers and non-customers in local businesses and communities the opportunity to learn about new technologies by providing workspaces and tools. We now have 5 Eagles Labs open across the country in under-utilised spaces in our branches and offices.

•Created a dedicated Armed Forces portal, where we host all our existing products and services that are relevant to the military community in one easily accessible place making it simpler for serving and former military personnel to understand and access our services.

•Signed up our 500,000th Barclaycard customer to their free Experian Credit Score, helping them to better understand their financial footprint and get on top of their finances. Barclaycard launched the initiative in November last year, becoming the first financial services brand in the UK to offer customers free access to their Experian Credit Score online and on-the-go via the Barclaycard app.

•Improved existing services, such as redesigning the instructions for our Pinsentry device to make it clearer and easier for our customers. As a result of our changes, each month around 55,000 additional payments are now being made successfully by customers using their Pinsentry device.

In July, Barclays was also ranked first for complaints handling within the financial services sector in the UK Customer Satisfaction Index which is published by the Institute of Customer Service.

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