Barclays is driven by the ambition to be one of the small number of universal banks leading the global financial services industry.  Barclays offers a range of retail and wholesale services including retail, business and private banking, credit cards, investment banking and wealth management.   As a universal bank with global ambitions, Barclays constantly seeks opportunities to grow our businesses around the world.  China is critical to this growth strategy.

Barclays in China

Barclays has been steadily building a presence in China since the early 1970s, centred now around Barclays Capital, its investment banking division.  With a distinctive business model, Barclays Capital provides large corporate, government and institutional clients with a comprehensive set of solutions to their strategic advisory, financing and risk management needs.  Barclays Capital has offices around the world, employs over 20,000 people and has the global reach, advisory services and distribution power to meet the needs of issuers and investors worldwide.

•  Barclays opened its first Chinese representative office in Beijing in 1981

•  The Shanghai branch of Barclays Capital opened in 2005

•  We now employ more than 600 people across Greater China

•  We are looking to increase our business platform and our headcount in Beijing and Shanghai over the course of the coming year.
 

Recent Developments

•  In July 2007, Barclays PLC entered into a strategic alliance with China Development Bank (CDB), with CDB becoming a major Barclays shareholder, with a stake of 3.1%.  The relationship provides Barclays unprecedented access to the Chinese market.

•  In September 2007, CDB and Barclays formed a Commodities Strategic Alliance focusing on the areas of energy, metals and emissions, combining CDB’s strong relationships and market presence in China with Barclays global commodity capability, risk management and banking expertise.

•  In January 2009, Barclays acquired a 19.5% stake in New China Trust, one of China’s leading trust companies.  The investment complements our existing platform.

•  In July 2009, Barclays Bank Shanghai Branch obtained approval for an RMB business license, which will allow it to operate RMB lending, advisory, corporate deposit and some RMB derivatives business on our onshore platform.

•  Barclays is a founder sponsor of the UK Pavilion at the Shanghai Expo 2010.

•  In August 2009, Zhi Zhong Qiu was appointed Chairman of China and Vice Chairman Asia Pacific at Barclays Capital.

•  In July 2009, Barclays announced its intention to commit Yuan 4 million for the establishment of a “Spaces for Sports” site in Beijing in partnership with the charity Compassion for Migrant Children.

•  The Barclays Asia Trophy was held in Beijing in July 2009.  This was a pre-season tournament featuring Barclays Premier League clubs Hull City, West Ham United, Tottenham Hotspur and local Chinese side Beijing Guoan.