Our history

Barclays completes its acquisition of PT Akita, a privately owned bank with ten outlets in three cities in Indonesia. The move makes Indonesia the 15th country to become part of Barclays Global Retail and Commercial Banking Emerging Markets Business Unit.

Barclays opens for business in Pakistan, with branches in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad. The launch is the 14th emerging market Barclays Global Retail and Commercial Banking has entered since March 2007.

Barclays acquires leading Russian bank Expobank. The bank becomes part of Barclays Global Retail and Commercial Banking Emerging Markets Business Unit .

Barclays is the first bank in the UK to announce a mass roll-out of contactless-enabled debit cards. From March 2009, most Barclays debit cards that are issued or reissued will have contactless technology built in.

Barclays is the first bank in the UK to give its Local Business customers access to an online service that checks supplier credit ratings.

Barclays increases its position in Asia with investment from two major shareholders in the region – China Development Bank and Singapore-headquartered investment firm Temasek.

Barclays opens three new branches in India, including a 24-hour flagship outlet in Delhi.

Barclaycard Breathe is launched, the first UK credit card which rewards customers for making environmentally aware purchasing decisions.

Barclays is the first bank in France to be awarded the ISO 14001 standard for complying with international environmental management.

Absa, majority owned by Barclays, is the first South African bank to publish a Customer Charter, putting more than  eight million customers at the centre of  its business.

In an industry first, Barclaycard launches OnePulse, a credit and cashless payment card which incorporates cashless Oyster card technology, used on London’s public transport system.

A benchmark year in which 50 per cent of Barclays profits are made outside the UK.

Barclays acquires a majority stake in Absa, one of South Africa’s leading financial services organsations.

Barclays moves its world headquarters from Lombard Street in the City of London to the new 1 Churchill Place building in Canary Wharf.

Barclaycard acquires the Juniper Financial Corporation, one of North America’s fastest-growing credit card issuers.

Barclays purchases wealth management firm Gerrard Management Services Ltd, to become the UK’s largest private client investment manager.

Banco Zaragozano, one of the largest private banks in Spain, is acquired, making Barclays the country’s sixth largest bank.

Barclays partners with five international banks to launch the first ever global ATM alliance, providing over 40 million customers with free access to member banks’ ATMS.

Barclays acquires Woolwich, a leading mortgage bank and former building society.

Barclays launches its Online Banking service.

Barclays is estimated to be the most valuable brand in the UK, worth more than £5.3bn.

Barclays is the first UK bank to offer customers a mortgage in euros to buy a home in the UK.

Barclays opens the UK’s first drive-through ATM, near Heathrow Airport.

Barclays Capital is established, following the sale of BZW's UK and European Equity and Mergers & Aquisitions Advisory business to Credit Suisse.

Barclays launches a PC banking service partnership with Microsoft using Money 97 software. In the same year Barclays also launches the service for small businesses.

Barclays opens its 3,000th ATM in the UK and has the largest network of ATMs in the country.

Barclays is the first financial institution to open a website on the internet – Barclaycard Netlink.

Barclaycall, Barclays telephone banking service is launched.

Barclays opens its first Premier Banking office, at 54 Lombard Street, London.

Barclaycard is the first UK brand to sponsor a non-fiction TV programme, travel show ‘Wish You Were Here’.

Barclays opens its first branch in India.

Barclays Business Centres open across the UK – the country’s largest business banking network.

Barclays announces its sponsorship of the Football League Championship in the UK.

Barclays Connect is launched, the UK’s first debit card.

BZW is created from the merger of Barclays Merchant Bank/ Barclays Investment Management, De Zoete Bevan and Wedd Durlacher Mordaunt & Co. It’s the forerunner to today’s Barclays Capital.

Barclays is the first UK bank to have its shares listed on the New York and Tokyo Stock Exchanges.

Barclays UK and Barclays International are merged to form Barclays PLC.

Barclays launches its Premier Card.

Barclays Bank Ltd becomes Barclays Bank PLC.

A Barclays Representative Office opens in Beijing, China.

Barclays unveils the world’s first ATM, offering ‘Barclaycash’ from its branch in Enfield, London.

Barclays opens the UK’s first computer centre for banking, in London. In the same year Barclays introduced automated branch book-keeping at its branch in Cavendish Square, London.

A Barclays promotional film for a savings campaign in West Africa wins the Grand Prix d’ISAS at the Cannes Film Festival.

Barclays Ideas Committee is introduced, inviting colleagues to share their suggestions for the business.

Barclays Overseas Development Corporation is launched.

From 1945-1948 Barclays offers refresher courses for staff returning from war service, and a Staff Training School is established in Wimbledon, London.

The Union Bank of Manchester is absorbed by Barclays.

A Grant of Arms is obtained from the College of Arms for the black spread eagle with three crowns to be used as Barclays official coat of arms.

Barclays Bank (Dominion Colonial and Overseas - DCO) is established by the merger of the Colonial Bank, the Anglo Egyptian Bank and the National Bank of South Africa. This goes on to add businesses across Africa, the Middle East and the West Indies.

Barclay & Company Limited becomes Barclays Bank Limited.

The bank expands, acquiring the Consolidated Bank of Cornwall.

The business obtains a listing on the London Stock Exchange.

The company builds a new banking house in Lombard Street.

James Barclay, John Freame’s son-in-law, becomes a partner in the business.

Freame and Gould move to premises bearing the sign of the Black Spread Eagle at Lombard Street, London. At the time, signs were commonly used to mark buildings instead of numbers, as most people were unable to read.

John Freame and Thomas Gould start trading as goldsmith bankers in Lombard Street, in the City of London.