Barclays
Background
Barclays is a UK-based financial services group with a large international presence in Europe, USA, Africa and Asia. It is engaged primarily in banking, investment banking and investment management. In terms of market capitalisation, Barclays is one of the top ten banks in the world.
Barclays has been involved in banking for over 300 years and operates in over 60 countries with more than 100,000 permanent employees. For the full-year ended December 31, 2004, the group achieved a pre-tax profit of around US$ 8377.5 million, up 20 per cent on 2003.
Barclays Capital
Barclays Capital is the investment banking division of Barclays Bank Plc, the international financial services group. With a distinctive business model, Barclays Capital provides corporates, financial institutions, governments and other organisations with solutions to their financing and risk management needs. The key areas handled by Barclays Capital include bonds, futures, collateralised finance, loans, commodities, prime brokerage, credit trading, private equity, derivatives, repos, equity products, securitisation, fixed income, structuring and foreign exchange.
Barclays Capital has the support of an AA rated parent bank with a balance sheet of over US$ 1001 billion.
With offices in 22 countries, the firm employs over 8,000 people and has the global reach and distribution power to meet the needs of issuers and investors.
Barclays in Asia
Barclays has been active in Asia Pacific since the early 1970s. The bank has offices in 10 locations- Australia, China, Hong Kong, Japan, India, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. Its business is focused on three areas: Barclays Capital (investment banking), Barclays Global Investors (leading asset manager) and Barclays Private Bank (wealth management and trust specialist).
Barclays Capital in Asia
Barclays Capital is a leader in financing and risk management for Asia Pacific clients. The company is a leading player in the local currency capital markets.
The firm employs over 1300 people in Asia Pacific and the manpower has seen an increase of over 50 per cent in the last three years.
In this region, Barclays Capital has won several notable accolades:
• Named Asia Pacific Debt House of the Year 2005, by The Banker
• Ranked No 3 overall in the Asia Risk Derivatives Survey, 2005.
• Named Best International Bond House 2004 in Australia by FinanceAsia magazine
• Named Best Debt House of the year in Australia, 2004, by The Asset magazine
• Named Project Finance Bank of the Year, 2004, by PFI magazine
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Barclays is leveraging India as an investment banking centre and outsourcing base
Barclays Capital is a leading player in the domestic and international capital markets offering clients a range of onshore and offshore financing options via the bond and loan markets. Particularly proud of its track record in local currency issuance, and bringing first time issuers to market. As a global leader in risk management, Barclays offers Indian clients access to a comprehensive suite of risk management solutions across asset classes.
Barclays has had a banking presence in India for over 27 years. It has made two capital infusions since 2002 strengthening its capital base by US$100 million and so bolstering its India Rupee debt capital markets platform and extending risk management capabilities. In 2004, Barclays made a financial investment in UTI Bank, demonstrating its commitment to the fast growing financial sector in India.
Barclays Bank acquired 50 per cent stake in India-based Intelenet Global Services, the business process
outsourcing (BPO) arm of HDFC in 2004. Barclays paid about US$ 37 million for the stake. Barclays currently outsources over 1700 positions to India and continues to assess opportunities to leverage the low cost and skilled labour advantages of India.
Barclays India: At a glance
• Barclays: One of the top ten banks in the world in terms of market capitalisation. Large international presence in Europe, the USA, Africa and Asia
• Engaged primarily in banking, investment banking and investment management
• For Barclays, India is a successful investment banking centre and an outsourcing base
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