Barclays Overview: Barclays is a UK-based bank with over 300 years of history. Its principal lines of business are:
- Commercial and Retail Banking
- Investment Management
- Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs)
- Investment Banking
On September 22, 2008, Barclays enhanced its presence in North America through a bargain-priced acquisition of key lines of business from bankrupt Lehman Brothers.
Size: Barclays reports these key statistics prior to the purchase of operations from Lehman:
- Global Employees = 147,000
- Assets Under Management = $1.8 trillion
- Funds Managed = 2,700
- Institutional Asset Management Clients = 2,900
- Value of Exchange Traded Funds = $251 billion
- Global Market Share in ETFs > 60%
- Presence in 50 Countries
Positives: Barclays is a widely-respected global bank, the worldwide leader in:
- Assets Under Management
- Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs)
Given its global footprint, Barclays should appeal to those who have an interest in work abroad, since these opportunities should be on offer.
Investor confidence in Barclays remained high during the September, 2008 global market crisis, as the value of its securities generally held their value during the selling frenzy that battered so many of its principal rivals.
Negatives: While the far-flung operations of Barclays may offer the benefits of national and regional diversification, there is the potential that the financial reporting complexity inherent in such a firm may harbor unpleasant surprises that have yet to materialize.
