Barcleys Bank

By: EconomyWatch Content   Date: 2 November 2009

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Barclays Bank is the first financial institution that deployed ATM machines for anytime money withdrawals. Clearly differentiating itself from the ilk, Barclays Bank has integrated technology with innovative financial products to offer all kinds of financial solutions. Be it savings, investments, credit cards, loans or mortgages, Barclays has earned itself considerable trust and clientele, due to its impressive portfolio of products and services.

Barclays headquarters were located at Lombard Street, London. This, however, got shifted to One Churchill Place, Canary Wharf, in London's Docklands in May 2005.

Barcleys Bank: Branches

Barclays Bank has over 4,750 branches around the world, with dedicated 24*7 ATMs installed at most of these. Besides regular banking, Barclays has also diversified into other businesses, such as investments.

In the UK alone, Barclays has over 1800 branches, where it has collaborated with Post Office Ltd to provide banking services. This collaboration offers services such as secured and unsecured loans to individuals.

Barcleys Bank: History

Having started operations as Barclays in 1896, the institution has seen a lot of ‘highs and lows.’ With acquisitions, sellouts, shutdowns and other strategical moves, the organization has built itself into one of the largest financial groups that is the choice of many. Here is a summary of its history:

·        1896: Many small London banks come together to function under the banner of Barclays and Co

·        1905-1916: Branch network is extended by the acquisition of new branches

·        1918: Barclays amalgamates with the Provincial, London and South Western Bank

·        1966: The first credit card in the world, Barclaycard, is launched

·        1967: Barclays deploys the first ATM in the world at its UK branch

·        1969: Acquires Martins Bank

·        1997: "Black hole", a financial crunch, discovered in BZW accounts, Barclay's investment bank division.

·        1998: BZW breaks down and the parts are sold to Credit Suisse First Boston

·        2000: Acquires Woolwich Plc, which was formerly known as the ‘Woolwich Building Society’

·        2001: More than 170 rural branches are closed in the UK

Even after the onslaught of the recession in 2009, Barclays Bank has managed to register global growth and has been successful in most of its branched operations.


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