Key Stats
- Market Cap (Jan 2026) $89.5 billion USD
- Revenue (2024) £26.23 billion
- Employees (2024) 93,000
- Founded 1690
- Headquarters London, United Kingdom
Barclays Plc ranks among the world’s leading multinational banking and financial services corporations. Headquartered in London, the company traces its roots to 1690, making it one of the oldest continuously operating banks globally.
The bank operates through five core divisions: UK Consumer Bank, UK Corporate Bank, Private Bank and Wealth Management, Investment Bank, and US Consumer Bank. Barclays serves over 48 million customers across more than 40 countries. The company maintains a primary listing on the London Stock Exchange as a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index, with secondary listings on the New York Stock Exchange.
Barclays History
John Freame and Thomas Gould established a goldsmith banking business on Lombard Street in London, forming the foundation of what would become Barclays.
The bank relocated to 54 Lombard Street, identified by the Sign of the Black Spread Eagle, which later became central to the bank’s visual identity.
James Barclay joined as a partner after marrying John Freame’s daughter, introducing the Barclay name to the business.
Twenty private banks, including Backhouse’s Bank and Gurney’s Bank, united to form Barclays and Co. as a joint-stock bank with over 180 branches.
Barclays merged with London, Provincial and South Western Bank, significantly expanding its UK presence.
Formation of Barclays Dominion, Colonial and Overseas (DCO) marked major international expansion into Africa, the Middle East, and the Caribbean.
Barclays launched Barclaycard, the first credit card in the United Kingdom, revolutionizing consumer payments.
The bank deployed the world’s first automated cash machine (ATM) in Enfield, north London. Actor Reg Varney was the first to use it.
The Big Bang financial deregulation led Barclays to form BZW (Barclays de Zoete Wedd) and enter investment banking.
Barclays acquired Woolwich Building Society for £5.4 billion, strengthening its UK mortgage business.
Following the financial crisis, Barclays acquired Lehman Brothers’ North American operations for $1.75 billion, establishing a major US investment banking presence.
Barclays completed the acquisition of Tesco Bank’s retail banking operations and announced a major restructuring into five streamlined divisions.
Barclays Co-founders
English Quaker goldsmith and banker who co-founded the business in 1690 on Lombard Street. He pioneered goldsmith banking practices and served as clerk to the Quakers’ Yearly Meeting.
Fellow Quaker who partnered with Freame to establish the goldsmith banking business. The Gould and Freame families intermarried, strengthening business ties.
Joined the firm in 1736 after marrying Sarah Freame. He introduced the Barclay family name to the partnership, which eventually became the bank’s permanent identity.
Barclays Competitors
Barclays operates in the highly competitive global banking sector. In the UK market, the bank competes directly with HSBC Holdings, Lloyds Banking Group, and NatWest Group for retail and corporate banking customers.
The investment banking division faces competition from major US banks including JPMorgan Chase and Goldman Sachs, as well as European institutions like Deutsche Bank and UBS Group.
| Rank | Competitor | Headquarters | Primary Sector |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | HSBC Holdings | London, UK | Universal Banking |
| 2 | Lloyds Banking Group | London, UK | Retail Banking |
| 3 | NatWest Group | Edinburgh, UK | Retail Banking |
| 4 | JPMorgan Chase | New York, USA | Investment Banking |
| 5 | Goldman Sachs | New York, USA | Investment Banking |
| 6 | Deutsche Bank | Frankfurt, Germany | Universal Banking |
| 7 | UBS Group | Zurich, Switzerland | Wealth Management |
| 8 | BNP Paribas | Paris, France | Universal Banking |
| 9 | Santander Group | Santander, Spain | Retail Banking |
| 10 | Standard Chartered | London, UK | Emerging Markets |
Barclays Revenue
Barclays revenue reached £26.23 billion in 2024, representing a 3.2% increase from the previous year. The bank generates income through net interest margins on lending, investment banking fees, and wealth management services.
Revenue growth has remained steady since 2020, supported by rising interest rates and strong performance in the investment banking division.
Barclays Marketcap
Barclays market capitalization reached approximately $89.5 billion in January 2026. The stock has seen significant appreciation, with market cap increasing by over 87% year-over-year in 2025.
The bank trades on the London Stock Exchange under ticker BARC and on the New York Stock Exchange under BCS.
Barclays Acquisitions
Barclays has pursued an aggressive acquisition strategy throughout its history, expanding both domestically and internationally. The 1918 merger with London, Provincial and South Western Bank established its national UK presence, while the 1919 acquisition of British Linen Bank extended operations into Scotland.
The bank entered the American market through strategic purchases. In 2003, Barclays acquired Juniper Bank from CIBC and rebranded it as Barclays Bank Delaware, establishing its US credit card operations. The 2008 acquisition of Lehman Brothers’ North American investment banking division for $1.75 billion represented a transformative deal that instantly gave Barclays a major Wall Street presence during the financial crisis.
In the UK market, the 2000 acquisition of Woolwich Building Society for £5.4 billion strengthened the mortgage business. The 2005 purchase of a 54% stake in Absa Group for £2.6 billion established significant African operations, though Barclays later reduced this holding as part of strategic restructuring.
Recent acquisitions include Kensington Mortgages in 2023 for approximately $2.8 billion and the Tesco Bank retail operations in 2024. Similar to how Santander Group and other major European banks have consolidated operations, Barclays continues to evaluate opportunities that align with its transatlantic focus strategy.
Other notable acquisitions include Mercantile Credit in 1975, Martins Bank in 1969, Banco Zaragozano in 2003, and HomEq Servicing Corporation in 2006. The 2009 sale of Barclays Global Investors to BlackRock for $13.5 billion represented a major divestiture that crystallized value while providing capital for future growth initiatives.
FAQs
When was Barclays founded?
Barclays traces its origins to 1690 when John Freame and Thomas Gould started trading as goldsmith bankers on Lombard Street in London. The Barclay name joined the firm in 1736.
Who founded Barclays bank?
John Freame and Thomas Gould, both Quakers, established the original business in 1690. James Barclay became a partner in 1736 and gave the bank its name.
What is Barclays market cap?
Barclays market capitalization stands at approximately $89.5 billion USD as of January 2026. The bank trades on both the London Stock Exchange and New York Stock Exchange.
Where is Barclays headquarters located?
Barclays is headquartered at One Churchill Place in Canary Wharf, London, United Kingdom. The bank moved to this location in May 2005 from its historic Lombard Street address.
What was Barclays first major innovation?
Barclays introduced several banking firsts, including the UK’s first credit card (Barclaycard) in 1966 and the world’s first automated cash machine (ATM) in 1967.