2010 in review

"Despite ongoing difficulties in the economic environment, mounting regulatory pressures and the need to rebuild trust in the financial services industry, Barclays managed to stay focused on our customers and clients."

Despite continuing economic challenges around the world, 2010 will be remembered for Barclays consolidating its position as a leader in the global banking industry.

In 2010, the business increased its profitability, improved its capital and liquidity positions, and showed how it was adding value to society.

Staying close to customers, clients and the communities in which it operates was key to these achievements.

Commenting on the Group’s performance, Group Chairman Marcus Agius said: “While conditions in the markets and in the banking industry calmed down to a certain extent, circumstances were still challenging. Despite ongoing difficulties in the economic environment, mounting regulatory pressures and the need to rebuild trust in the financial services industry, Barclays managed to stay focused on our customers and clients.”

Here is a selection of highlights from Barclays in 2010:

January:

• Barclays agrees to acquire Standard Life Bank
• Barclays announces an investment of £1.3m over three years in WWF’s Preserving Eastern African Resources and Livelihoods programme
• Barclays is named in the annual Stonewall Workplace Equality Index as one of the top five UK private sector employers for gay, lesbian and bisexual people for the second consecutive year.

February:

• Barclays supports Put It Right, a global initiative launched by UNICEF UK to protect children’s rights
• Barclays reports its 2009 Full Year Results, with profit before tax of £11.6bn, up 92 per cent on 2008
• Barclays is named as one of the world’s top 10 financial brands in 2010 by The Banker magazine.

March:

• Novak Djokovic wins the 2010 Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships
• Barclays publishes its Annual Report 2009, detailing performance and key financial information for the year.

April:

• Barclays-sponsored Phil Mickelson wins the 2010 Masters Golf Tournament for the third time
• Barclays publishes its 2009 Responsible Banking Review
• Group Chairman Marcus Agius and Group Chief Executive John Varley address shareholders at Barclays Annual General Meeting in London.

May:

• Chelsea are crowned Barclays Premier League champions
• Barclays underlines its strong commitment to China by sponsoring the UK Pavilion at Expo 2010 in Shanghai.

June:

• Barclays publishes Banking for Billions, its second Social Intelligence report on improving global access to financial services
• Barclays is among six UK banks to reaffirm their commitment to supporting businesses and the UK economy.

July:

• Edoardo Molinari of Italy wins the 2010 Barclays Scottish Open at the Loch Lomond Golf Club
• Sporting Lisbon beat Tottenham Hotspur to win the Barclays New York Challenge
• Absa celebrates its fifth anniversary as part of Barclays Group
• Barclays Group Chairman Marcus Agius and the Mayor of London Boris Johnson launch Barclays Cycle Hire, a sponsorship which aims to help people travel around London more easily and lead healthier lives.

August:

• Barclays announces its 2010 Interim Results, with profit before tax of £3.95bn, up 44 per cent from the same period in 2009
• The Barclays Premier League kicks off a new season
• Matt Kuchar wins The Barclays golf tournament in New Jersey, United States.

September:

• Barclays announces that Bob Diamond will succeed John Varley as Group Chief Executive when John stands down on 31 March 2011
• Barclays is ranked as one of the Best Global Brands of 2010 by consultancy company Interbrand
• The Carbon Disclosure Project, a global environmental organisation, ranks Barclays among the top 10 global financial institutions on managing the risks and opportunities presented by climate change.

October:

• Barclays announces it has reached the milestone of £100bn in mortgage lending to UK customers
• Singer and songwriter Annie Lennox wins the Barclays-sponsored Women of the Year Award 2010 for her campaigning on behalf of HIV/AIDS sufferers.

November:

• Adam Scott of Australia lands victory at the Barclays Singapore Open
• Roger Federer overcomes his rival Rafael Nadal to win the 2010 Barclays ATP World Tour Finals tournament in London.

December:

• Barclays sponsors the Female FTSE Report 2010, published by the UK’s Cranfield University School of Management to highlight the FTSE 100 companies that are performing well on gender diversity
• Barclays announces that, in the light of the successful completion of all transition activities, Bob Diamond will become Group Chief Executive on 1 January 2011.