Achievements
By developing the right products, understanding local practices and challenges, and working closely with specialist partners, we are helping people around the world benefit from banking.
Expanding into disadvantaged areas
Absa, majority-owned by Barclays, opened 92 new branches in South Africa in 2008. The majority of them are in disadvantaged areas and 14 include advice centres for microenterprises.
Meeting local needs
A `no-frills' Barclays account launched in India in 2008, allowing up to five members of the same family to draw on a common balance. Domestic employees referred by the family can also open a savings account with no minimum balance.
Safer savings in Africa
Barclays offers a range of savings accounts aimed at people on minimal incomes in African countries, including Ghana, Zambia and Uganda. The accounts allow customers to keep their money securely.
Basic banking
Our simple accounts, developed for people on low incomes who would otherwise be excluded from banking, reach more than 300,000 customers in developing countries such as Tanzania, Zambia, India and Zimbabwe.
