Barclays has revealed a revival plan to shore up support among investors that includes cutting costs and risk while bolstering returns.
The UK-based lender’s shake-up, that Sky News reported last month had already resulted in 5,000 job losses, will also see an overhaul of management, some business disposals and £10bn returned to shareholders over three years.
A total of £3bn was planned for 2023 – up 37% on the previous year.
The plan was announced as Barclays reported a 6% decline in annual pre-tax profits to £6.6bn.
Money latest:
Most councils in England putting council tax up by maximum amount
Chief executive CS Venkatakrishnan, known as Venkat, said: “Our new three-year plan… is designed to further improve Barclays’ operational and financial performance, driving higher returns, and predictable, attractive shareholder distributions.”
He had previously pledged to listen to a growing number of investors seeking a streamlined business model and improved returns as the bank’s share price lagged those of rivals.
A top complaint has been Barclays’ reliance on its high cost and high risk investment banking arm for profitability.
That business has attracted greater regulatory scrutiny industry wide since the financial crash of 2008, becoming even more vulnerable in times of economic uncertainty.
Its corporate and investment bank income fell by 4% to £12bn in 2023 as client activity dipped.
Barclays said it would simplify its business through the creation of five divisions, boosting accountability in the process.
The company moved to strengthen its domestic retail bank earlier this month when it agreed to buy the bulk of Tesco Bank’s operations in a deal worth up to £1bn.
