Blueprint
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13A-16 OR 15D-16
UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
February
21, 2019
Barclays PLC
(Name
of Registrant)
1 Churchill Place
London E14 5HP
England
(Address
of Principal Executive Office)
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual
reports
under
cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form
20-F x Form 40-F
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the
information
contained
in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to
the
Commission
pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934.
Yes No
x
If
"Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the
registrant
in
connection with Rule 12g3-2(b):
This
Report on Form 6-K is filed by Barclays PLC.
This
Report comprises:
Information
given to The London Stock Exchange and furnished pursuant
to
General
Instruction B to the General Instructions to Form 6-K.
EXHIBIT
INDEX
Annual
Financial Report dated 21 February 2019
__________________________________________________________________________________
SIGNATURES
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
|
BARCLAYS
PLC
|
|
(Registrant)
|
Date:
February 21, 2019
|
By: /s/
Garth Wright
--------------------------------
|
|
Garth
Wright
|
|
Assistant
Secretary
|
21 February 2019
Barclays PLC
Annual Report and Accounts 2018
UK Listing Authority submissions
In compliance with Disclosure Guidance & Transparency Rule
(DTR) 4.1, Barclays PLC announces that the following documents will
today be submitted to the National Storage Mechanism and will
shortly be available for inspection at: http://www.morningstar.co.uk/uk/NSM
●
Barclays PLC
Annual Report 2018;
●
Barclays PLC Strategic Report 2018;
and
●
Pillar 3 Report for
2018.
These documents may also be accessed via Barclays PLC's website
at home.barclays/investorrelations
The Barclays PLC Strategic Report 2018 (or the full Annual Report
2018 for those shareholders who have requested it) will be posted
to shareholders on Tuesday, 19 March 2019.
The Barclays PLC Board announces that Dambisa Moyo and Reuben
Jeffery III, both having served on the Board for nine years, have
decided not to stand for re-election at the 2019 Annual General
Meeting and will be retiring from the Board of Barclays PLC with
effect from the close of the Annual General Meeting on 2 May
2019.
Additional information
The following information is extracted from the Barclays PLC Annual
Report 2018 (page references are to pages in the Annual Report) and
should be read in conjunction with Barclays PLC's Final Results
announcement issued on 21 February 2019. Both documents can
be found at home.barclays/investorrelations and
together constitute the material required by DTR 6.3.5 to be
communicated to the media in unedited full text through a
Regulatory Information Service. This material is not a
substitute for reading the Barclays PLC Annual Report 2018 in
full.
Risk review
Material existing and emerging risks
Material existing and emerging risks to Barclays Group's future
performance
Material risks are those to which senior management pay particular
attention and which could cause the delivery of Barclays Group's
strategy, results of operations, financial condition and/or
prospects to differ materially from current
expectations.
Emerging risks are those which have largely unknown components, the
impact of which could crystallise over a longer time horizon. These
could currently be considered immaterial but over time may
individually or cumulatively affect Barclays Group's strategy and
cause the same outcomes as material risks. In addition, certain
factors beyond Barclays Group's control, including escalation of
terrorism or global conflicts, natural disasters and similar
calamities, although not detailed below, could have a similar
impact on Barclays Group.
The risks described below are material existing and emerging risks
which senior management has identified with respect
to Barclays Group.
Material existing and emerging risks potentially impacting more
than one principal risk
i) Business conditions, general economy and geopolitical
issues
The Barclays Group business mix spreads across multiple geographies
and client types. The breadth of these operations means that
deterioration in the economic environment, or an increase in
political instability in countries where Barclays Group is active,
or in any systemically important economy, could adversely
affect Barclays Group's operating performance, financial condition
and prospects.
Although economic activity continued to strengthen globally in
2018, a change in global economic conditions and the reversal
of the improving trend may result in lower client activity in
Barclays Group, including lower demand for borrowing from
creditworthy customers, and/or a reduction in the value of
related collateral and/or an increase of Barclays Group's default
rates, delinquencies, write-offs, and impairment charges, which in
turn could adversely affect Barclays Group's performance and
prospects. Deteriorating economic conditions could also impact the
ability of Barclays Group to raise funding from external investors.
In addition, a shift in the forward looking consensus view of
economic conditions may materially impact the models used to
calculate expected credit losses (ECL), where an increase in ECLs
could adversely affect Barclays Group's profitability.
In several countries, reversals of capital inflows, as well as
fiscal austerity, have already caused deterioration in political
stability. This could be exacerbated by a renewed
rise in asset price volatility or sustained pressure on
government finances. In addition, geopolitical tensions in some
areas of the world are at risk of further deterioration, thus
potentially increasing market uncertainties and adverse global
economic and market conditions, which in turn could adversely
affect Barclays Group's profitability in certain geographical
locations.
In the UK, the vote in favour of leaving the European Union (EU),
see ii) Process of UK withdrawal from the European Union below, has
given rise to political uncertainty with potential consequences for
investment and market confidence. The initial impact was a
depreciation of Sterling resulting in higher costs for companies
exposed to imports and a more favourable environment for
exporters. Rising domestic costs resulting from higher import
prices may impact household incomes and the affordability of
consumer loans and mortgages, resulting in reduced business and,
thereby, negatively impacting Barclays Group's profitability. In
turn this may affect businesses dependent on consumers for revenue,
exacerbated by current pressures on businesses dependent on
discretionary purchases. There has also been a reduction
in activity in both commercial and residential real estate
markets which has the potential to impact the value of real
estate assets and adversely affect mortgage assets.
Furthermore, continued uncertainty in the withdrawal process could
have a detrimental effect in the economic environment in
continental Europe, which may negatively impact Barclays Group's
business in specific Eurozone countries.
In the US, where the economy outperformed other key markets in
2018, there is the possibility of significant continued changes
in policy in sectors including trade, healthcare and
commodities which may have an impact on associated Barclays Group
portfolios. A significant proportion of Barclays Group's
portfolio is located in the US, including a major credit card
portfolio and a range of corporate and investment banking
exposures. Stress in the US economy, weakening GDP and the
associated exchange rate fluctuations, heightened trade tensions,
an unexpected rise in unemployment and/or an increase in interest
rates could lead to increased levels of impairment, resulting
in a negative impact on Barclays Group's
profitability.
As anticipated, most major central banks have started tightening
their monetary policies in 2018 and there remains a possibility
that this will continue. The risk of large capital flows spawned by
divergent or differently timed policies remains, and this will
continue to provide financial market turbulence, in particular in
emerging market economies. This may negatively impact Barclays
Group's business in the affected regions, under both profiles of
credit and market risk.
Sentiment towards emerging markets as a whole continues to be
driven in large part by developments in China, where there is some
concern around the ability of authorities to manage growth
while transitioning from manufacturing towards services. Although
the Chinese government's efforts to stably increase the weight
of domestic demand have had some success, the pace of credit growth
remains a concern, given the high level of leverage and despite
regulatory action. A stronger than expected slowdown could
result if authorities fail to appropriately manage the end of the
investment and credit-led boom.
Deterioration in emerging markets could affect Barclays Group if it
results in higher impairment charges for Barclays Group via
sovereign or counterparty defaults.
More broadly, a deterioration of conditions in the key markets
where Barclays Group operates could affect performance in a number
of ways including, for example: (i) deteriorating business,
consumer or investor confidence indirectly having a material
adverse impact on GDP growth in significant markets and therefore
on Barclays Group's performance; (ii) mark to market losses in
trading portfolios resulting from changes in factors such as credit
ratings, share prices and solvency of counterparties; (iii) reduced
ability to obtain capital from other financial institutions for
Barclays Group's operations; and (iv) lower levels of fixed asset
investment and productivity growth overall.
ii) Process of UK withdrawal from the European
Union
The uncertainty around Brexit spanned the whole of 2018, and
intensified in the second half of the year. The full impact of the
withdrawal may only be realised in years to come, as the economy
adjusts to the new regime, but Barclays Group continues to monitor
the most relevant risks, including those that may have a more
immediate impact, for its business.
● Market volatility, including in currencies
and interest rates, might increase which could have an impact
on the value of Barclays Group's trading book
positions.
● Potential UK financial institutions' credit spread
widening could lead to reduced investor appetite for Barclays
Group's debt securities; this could negatively impact the cost of,
and/or access to, funding. There is potential for continued market
and interest rate volatility. This volatility could affect
underlying interest rate risk value of the assets in the banking
book and securities held by Barclays Group for liquidity
purposes
● A credit rating agency downgrade applied directly
to Barclays Group, or indirectly as a result of a credit
rating agency downgrade to the UK Government, could significantly
increase Barclays Group's borrowing costs, credit spreads and
materially adversely affect Barclays Group's interest margins
and liquidity position.
● Changes in the long-term outlook for UK interest
rates may adversely affect pension liabilities and the market value
of investments funding those liabilities.
● Increased risk of a UK recession with
lower growth, higher unemployment and falling UK house prices.
This would likely negatively impact a number of Barclays Group's
portfolios, notably: higher Loan to Value mortgages, UK
unsecured lending including credit cards and commercial
real estate exposures.
● The implementation of trade and customs barriers
between the UK and EU could lead to delays and increased costs in
the passage of goods for corporate banking customers. This could
negatively impact the levels of customer defaults and business
volumes which may result in an increase in Barclays Group's
impairment charges and a reduction in revenues.
● Changes to current EU 'Passporting'
rights may require further adjustment to the current
model for Barclays Group's cross-border banking operation which
could increase operational
complexity and/or costs.
● The ability to attract, or prevent the departure
of, qualified and skilled employees may be impacted by the UK's and
the EU's future approach to the EU freedom of movement
and immigration from the EU countries and this may impact
Barclays Group's access to the EU talent pool.
● The legal framework within which Barclays Group
operates could change and become more uncertain if the UK takes
steps to replace or repeal certain laws currently in force,
which are based on EU legislation and regulation (including EU
regulation of the banking sector) following its withdrawal from the
EU. Certainty around the ability to perform existing
contracts, enforceability of certain legal obligations and
uncertainty around the jurisdiction of the UK courts may be
affected until the impacts of the loss of the current legal
and regulatory arrangements between the UK and EU and the
enforceability of UK judgements across the EU are fully
known.
● Should the UK lose automatic qualification to be
part of Single Euro Payments Area there could be a resultant impact
on the efficiency of, and access to, European payment systems. In
addition, loss of automatic qualification to the European Economic
Area (EEA) or access to Financial Markets Infrastructure including
exchanges, central counterparties and payment services could impact
service provision for clients, likely resulting in reduced market
share and revenue and increased operating costs for Barclays
Group.
● There are certain execution risks relating
to the transfer of Barclays Group's European businesses to
Barclays Bank Ireland Group. Technology change could result in
outages or operational errors leading to delays in the transfer of
assets and liabilities to Barclays Bank Ireland Group, and delayed
delivery could lead to European clients losing access to products
and service and increased reputational risk.
iii) Interest rate rises adversely impacting credit
conditions
To the extent that central banks increase interest rates
particularly in Barclays Group's main markets, in the UK and the
US, there could be an impact on consumer debt affordability and
corporate profitability.
While interest rate rises could positively impact Barclays Group's
profitability, as retail and corporate business income may increase
due to margin decompression, future interest rate increases, if
larger or more frequent than expectations, could cause stress
in the lending portfolio and underwriting activity of Barclays
Group. Higher credit losses driving an increased impairment
allowance would most notably impact retail unsecured portfolios
and wholesale non-investment grade lending.
Changes in interest rates could have an adverse impact on the value
of high quality liquid assets which are part of the Barclays Group
Treasury function's investment activity. Consequently, this could
create more volatility than expected through Barclays Group's FVOCI
reserves.
iv) Regulatory change agenda and impact on business
model
Barclays Group remains subject to ongoing significant levels of
regulatory change and scrutiny in many of the countries in which it
operates (including, in particular, the UK and the US). As a
result, regulatory risk will remain a focus for senior management
and consume significant levels of business resources. Furthermore,
a more intensive regulatory approach and enhanced requirements
together with the uncertainty (particularly in light of the
UK's withdrawal from the EU) and potential lack of international
regulatory co-ordination as enhanced supervisory standards are
developed and implemented may adversely affect Barclays Group's
business, capital and risk management strategies and/or may result
in Barclays Group deciding to modify its legal entity, capital and
funding structures and business mix, or to exit certain
business activities altogether or not to expand in areas
despite otherwise attractive potential.
Barclays Bank UK Group was established on 1 April 2018 as the
ring-fenced entity under Barclays Group. The relevant rules
required to comply with the UK ring-fencing regime are complex and
will continue to entail significant costs and operational and legal
risks. There may be a risk associated with the uncertainty around
interpretation, administration and enforcement of the ring-fencing
regime as the regulatory requirements develop. This risk is
compounded by the potential for different regulatory interpretation
as standards are developed, the impact of the UK's withdrawal from
the EU and internal factors, such as Barclays Group's strategy.
Failure to maintain ongoing compliance, including from the
implementation of any new regulatory requirements that may
potentially be enforced, could result in regulatory
censure or penalties for Barclays Group.
There are several other significant pieces of legislation and
areas of focus which will require significant management attention,
cost and resource, including:
● Changes in prudential requirements (including the
risk reduction measures package recently adopted in the EU to amend
the Capital Requirements Directive (CRD IV) and the Bank Recovery
and Resolution Directive (BRRD)) may impact minimum requirements
for own funds and eligible liabilities (MREL) (including
requirements for internal MREL), leverage, liquidity or funding
requirements, applicable buffers and/or add-ons to such minimum
requirements and risk weighted assets calculation methodologies all
as may be set by international, EU or national authorities. Such or
similar changes to prudential requirements or additional
supervisory and prudential expectations, either individually or in
aggregate, may result in, among other things, a need for further
management actions to meet the changed requirements, such as:
increasing capital, MREL or liquidity resources, reducing leverage
and risk weighted assets; restricting distributions on capital
instruments; modifying the terms of outstanding capital
instruments; modifying legal entity structure (including with
regard to issuance and deployment of capital, MREL and
funding); changing Barclays Group's business mix or exiting other
businesses; and/or undertaking other actions to strengthen
Barclays Group's position. (See Treasury and capital risk
on pages181 to 207 and Supervision and regulation on
pages 215 to 222 for more information).
● The derivatives market has been the subject of
particular focus for regulators in recent years across the G20
countries and beyond, with regulations introduced which require the
reporting and clearing of standardised over the counter (OTC)
derivatives and the mandatory margining of non-cleared OTC
derivatives. Other regulations applicable to swap dealers,
including those promulgated by the US Commodity Futures Trading
Commission, have imposed significant costs on Barclays Group's
derivatives business. The increased regulation of swaps and
security-based swaps may also result in other increases in costs
for market participants, as well as reduced liquidity in the
markets for such instruments, which could cause further
increases in costs and volatility. These and any future
requirements, including the US SEC's regulations relating to
security-based swaps and the possibility of overlapping and/or
contradictory requirements imposed on derivative transactions by
regulators in different jurisdictions, are expected to continue to
impact such business in the same manner.
More broadly, compliance with the evolving regulatory framework
entails significant costs for market participants and is having a
significant impact on certain markets in which Barclays Group
operates. The recast Markets in Financial Instruments Directive in
Europe (MiFID II), which came into force in January 2018, has
fundamentally changed the European regulatory framework entailing
significant operational changes for market participants in a wide
range of financial instruments as well as changes in market
structures and practices. In addition, the EU Benchmarks
Regulation, which also came into force in January 2018,
regulates the use of benchmarks in the EU. In particular,
after 1 January 2020 certain Barclays Group entities will not be
permitted to use benchmarks unless the relevant administrator is
authorised, registered or qualifies under a third-party
regime. This may necessitate adapting processes and systems to
transition to new alternative benchmarks, which would be
a very time-consuming and costly process. Separately, the
transition to risk-free rates as part of a wider benchmark
reform is also expected to be impactful to Barclays Group
in respect of the timing of the development of a robust
risk free rate market, an unfavourable market reaction and/or
inconsistencies in the adoption of products using the new risk free
rates, and also in respect of the costs and uncertainties involved
in managing and/or changing historical products to reference
risk free rates as a result of the proposed discontinuation of
certain existing benchmarks.
● Barclays Group and certain of its members are
subject to supervisory stress testing exercises in a number of
jurisdictions. These exercises currently include the programmes of
the BoE, the EBA, the FDIC and the FRB. These exercises are
designed to assess the resilience of banks to adverse economic or
financial developments and enforce robust, forward looking capital
and liquidity management processes that account for the risks
associated with their business profile. Assessment by regulators is
on both a quantitative and qualitative basis, the latter focusing
on Barclays Group's or certain of its members' business model, data
provision, stress testing capability and internal management
processes and controls. The stress testing requirements to which
Barclays Group and its members are subject are becoming
increasingly stringent. Failure to meet requirements of regulatory
stress tests, or the failure by regulators to approve the stress
test results and capital plans of Barclays Group, could result in
Barclays Group being required to enhance its capital position,
limit capital distributions or position additional capital in
specific subsidiaries. For more information on stress testing,
refer to Supervision and regulation on page
218.
● The introduction and implementation of both
Payments Service Directive 2 (PSD2) and the Open API standards and
data sharing remedy from the UK Competition and Markets Authority
following its Retail Banking Market Investigation Order (together
'Open Banking') from January 2018 with delivery across 2019
provides third parties and banks with opportunities to change and
enhance the relationship between a customer and their bank. It does
this by providing customers with the ability to share their
transactional data with authorised third-party service providers
either for aggregation or payment services. It is anticipated that
both aggregation and payment services will be offered by third
parties to Barclay Group's customers and Barclays Group itself has
launched an aggregation service. PSD2 will also
introduce new requirements to the authentication process for a
number of actions customers take, including ecommerce transactions.
A failure to comply with Open Banking requirements could
expose Barclays Group to regulatory sanction. Further, the data
sharing regime could mean that actions or omissions by third-party
service providers could expose Barclays Group to potential
financial loss from third-party fraud, misuse of customer data,
litigation and reputational detriment, amongst other things. The
changes to authentication may change the fraud environment across
the industry as providers implement different approaches to
comply.
Material existing and emerging risks impacting individual principal
risks
i) Credit risk
a) Impairment
The introduction of the impairment requirements
of IFRS 9 Financial
Instruments, implemented on 1
January 2018, results in impairment loss allowances that are
recognised earlier, on a more forward looking basis and on a
broader scope of financial instruments than has been the case under
IAS 39 and has had, and may continue to have, a material
impact on Barclays Group's financial condition.
Measurement involves increased complex judgement and impairment
charges will tend to be more volatile, particularly under stressed
conditions. Unsecured products with longer expected lives, such as
revolving credit cards, are the most impacted. Taking into account
the transitional regime, the capital treatment on the increased
reserves has the potential to adversely impact regulatory
capital ratios.
In addition, the move from incurred to expected credit losses has
the potential to impact Barclays Group's performance under stressed
economic conditions or regulatory stress tests. For more
information, refer to Note 1 on pages 264 to 267.
b) Specific sectors and concentrations
Barclays Group is subject to risks arising from changes in credit
quality and recovery rate of loans and advances due from
borrowers and counterparties in a specific portfolio.
Any deterioration in credit quality could lead to lower
recoverability and higher impairment in a specific sector. The
following are areas of uncertainties to Barclays Group's
portfolio which could have a material impact
on performance:
● UK
retailers. Softening
demand, rising costs and a structural shift to online is fuelling
pressure on the UK High Street. Whilst we have not seen any
material impact, as the UK retailer market repositions itself the
trend represents a potential risk in our UK corporate
portfolio.
● Consumer
affordability has remained
a key area of focus for regulators, particularly in unsecured
lending, driven by the growth in levels of borrowing. Macroeconomic
factors, such as rising unemployment, that impact a customer's
ability to service unsecured debt payments could lead to increased
arrears in unsecured products.
● UK real estate
market. UK property
represents a significant portion of the overall Barclays Group
retail and corporate credit exposure. In 2018, property price
growth across the UK continued, however, this growth has slowed in
London and the South East where Barclays Group's exposure has high
concentration. Barclays Group is at risk of increased
impairment from a material fall in property prices due to
the depreciation in value of the underlying
loan security.
● Leverage finance
underwriting. Barclays
Group takes on sub-investment grade underwriting exposure,
including single name risk, particularly in the US and
Europe Barclays Group is exposed to credit events and market
volatility during the underwriting period. Any adverse events
during this period may potentially result in loss for Barclays
Group, or an increased capital requirement should there be a need
to hold the exposure for an extended period.
● Italian
portfolio. Barclays Group
is exposed to a decline in the Italian economic environment through
a mortgage portfolio in run-off and positions to wholesale
customers. The Italian economy tipped into an official recession at
the end of 2018 and should the economy deteriorate further, there
could be a material adverse effect on Barclays Group's results
including, but not limited to, increased credit losses and higher
impairment charges.
Barclays Group also has large individual exposures to single name
counterparties, both in its lending activities and in its
financial services and trading activities, including transactions
in derivatives and transactions with brokers, central clearing
houses, dealers, other banks, mutual and hedge funds and other
institutional clients. The default of such counterparties
could have a significant impact on the carrying value of these
assets. In addition, where such counterparty risk has been
mitigated by taking collateral, credit risk may remain high if the
collateral held cannot be realised, or has to be liquidated at
prices which are insufficient to recover the full amount of the
loan or derivative exposure. Any such defaults could have a
material adverse effect on Barclays Group's results due to,
for example, increased credit losses and higher impairment
charges.
c) Environmental risk
Barclays Group is exposed to credit risks arising from energy and
climate change. Indirect risks may be incurred as a result of
environmental issues impacting the credit worthiness of the
borrower resulting in higher impairment. For further details on
Barclays Group's approach to energy and climate change, refer to
page 26 of the TCFD section of the Strategic Report and page 151 of
the Barclays PLC Pillar 3 Report (unaudited).
ii) Market risk
Market volatility
An uncertain outlook for the direction of monetary policy, the
US-China trade conflict, slowing global growth and political
concerns in the US and Europe (including Brexit) are some of the
factors that could heighten market risks for Barclays Group's
portfolios.
In addition, Barclays Group's trading business is generally exposed
to a prolonged period of elevated asset price volatility,
particularly if it negatively affects the depth of marketplace
liquidity. Such a scenario could impact Barclays Group's ability to
execute client trades and may also result in lower client
flow-driven income and/or market-based losses on its existing
portfolio of market risks. These can include having to absorb
higher hedging costs from rebalancing risks that need to be managed
dynamically as market levels and their associated volatilities
change.
iii) Treasury and capital risk
Barclays Group may not be able to achieve its business plans due
to: a) inability to maintain appropriate capital ratios; b)
inability to meet its obligations as they fall due; c) rating
agency downgrades; d) adverse changes in foreign exchange
rates on capital ratios; e) adverse movements in the pension
fund; and f) non-traded market risk/interest rate risk in the
banking book.
a) Inability to maintain prudential ratios and other
regulatory requirements
This could lead to Barclays Group's inability to support
business activity; a failure to meet regulatory capital
requirements including any additional capital add-ons or the
requirements set for regulatory stress tests; increased cost of
funding due to deterioration in investor appetite or credit
ratings; restrictions on distributions including the ability to
meet dividend targets; and/or the need to take additional measures
to strengthen Barclays Group's capital or leverage
position.
b) Inability to manage liquidity and funding risk
effectively
This may result in Barclays Group either not having sufficient
financial resources to meet its payment obligations as they fall
due or, although solvent, only being able to meet these obligations
at excessive cost. This could cause Barclays Group to fail to meet
regulatory liquidity standards or be unable to support day-to-day
banking activities.
The stability of Barclays Group's current funding profile, in
particular that part which is based on accounts and deposits
payable on demand or at short notice, could be affected by Barclays
Group failing to preserve the current level of customer and
investor confidence. Barclays Group also regularly accesses the
capital markets to provide short-term and long-term funding to
support its operations. Several factors, including adverse
macroeconomic conditions, adverse outcomes in legal, regulatory or
conduct matters and loss of confidence by investors, counterparties
and/or customers in Barclays Group, can affect the ability of
Barclays Group to access the capital markets and/or the cost and
other terms upon which Barclays Group is able to obtain market
funding.
c) Credit rating changes and the impact on funding
costs
Any potential or actual credit rating agency downgrades could
significantly increase Barclays Group's borrowing costs, credit
spreads and materially adversely affect Barclays Group's interest
margins and liquidity position. Consequently, this may result in
reduced profitability for Barclays Group.
d) Adverse changes in FX rates impacting capital
ratios
Barclays Group has capital resources, risk weighted assets and
leverage exposures denominated in foreign currencies. Changes
in foreign currency exchange rates may adversely impact the
Sterling equivalent value of these items. As a result, Barclays
Group's regulatory capital ratios are sensitive to foreign currency
movements. Failure to appropriately manage Barclays Group's balance
sheet to take account of foreign currency movements could result in
an adverse impact on regulatory capital and leverage
ratios.
e) Adverse movements in the pension fund
Adverse movements in pension assets and liabilities for
defined benefit pension schemes could result in deficits on a
funding and/or accounting basis. This could lead to
Barclays Group making substantial additional contributions to
its pension plans and/or a deterioration in its capital position.
Under IAS 19 the liabilities discount rate is
derived from the yields of high quality corporate
bonds.
Therefore, the valuation of Barclays Group's defined benefits
schemes would be adversely affected by a prolonged fall in the
discount rate due to a persistent low rate and/or
credit spread environment. Inflation is another significant
risk driver to the pension fund as the liabilities are adversely
impacted by an increase in long-term inflation
expectations.
f) Non-traded market risk/interest rate risk in the banking
book
A shortfall in the liquidity pool investment return could increase
Barclays Group's cost of funds and impact the capital ratios.
Barclays Group's structural hedge programmes for interest rate
risk in the banking book rely on behavioural assumptions, as a
result, the success of the hedging strategy is not guaranteed.
A potential mismatch in the balance or duration of the hedge
assumptions could lead to earnings deterioration.
iv) Operational risk
a) Cyber threat
The frequency of cyberattacks continues to grow and is a global
threat which is inherent across all industries, including the
financial sector and is a key area of focus for Barclays Group. The
financial sector remains a primary target for cyber criminals.
There is an increasing level of sophistication in both criminal and
nation state hacking for the purpose of stealing money, stealing,
destroying or manipulating data, including customer data, and/or
disrupting operations, with threats arising from malicious emails,
distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks, payment system
compromises, supply chain and vulnerability exploitation. Other
events have a compounding impact on services and customers,
e.g. data breaches in social networking sites, retail companies and
payments networks.
Failure to adequately manage this threat could result in increased
fraud losses, inability to perform critical economic functions,
customer detriment, potential regulatory censure or penalties,
legal liability, reduction in shareholder value and reputational
damage.
b) Fraud
The level and nature of fraud threats continues to evolve,
particularly with the increasing use of digital products and the
greater functionality available online. Criminals continue to adapt
their techniques and are increasingly focused on targeting
customers and clients through ever more sophisticated methods of
social engineering. External data breaches also provide criminals
with the opportunity to exploit the growing levels of compromised
data. These threats could lead to customer detriment, loss of
business, regulatory censure, missed business opportunity and
reputational damage.
Recent changes in the regulatory landscape will see increased
levels of liability being taken by Barclays Group as part of a
voluntary code in the UK to provide additional protection
to customers and clients who are victims of Authorised
Push Payment scams.
c) Operational resilience
The loss of or disruption to Barclays Group's business processing
is a material inherent risk theme within Barclays Group and
across the financial services industry, whether arising through
impacts on technology systems, real estate services, personnel
availability or the support of major suppliers.
Failure to build resilience into business processes or into the
services of technology, real estate or suppliers on which Barclays
Group's business processes depend, may result in significant
customer detriment, costs to reimburse losses incurred by our
customers, potential regulatory censure or penalties, and
reputational damage.
d) Supplier exposure
Barclays Group depends on suppliers, including Barclays Services
Limited, for the provision of many of its services and the
development of technology. Even though Barclays Group depends on
suppliers, it continues to be accountable for risk
arising from the actions of such suppliers.
Failure to monitor and control Barclays Group's suppliers could
potentially lead to client information, or critical infrastructures
and services, not being adequately protected or available when
required. The dependency on suppliers and sub-contracting of
outsourced services introduces concentration risk where the failure
of specific suppliers could have an impact on our ability to
continue to provide services that are material to Barclays
Group.
Failure to adequately manage outsourcing risk could result in
increased losses, inability to perform critical economic functions,
customer detriment, potential regulatory censure, legal liability
and reputational damage.
e) Processing error
As a large, complex bank, Barclays Group faces the risk of material
errors in operational processes, including payments and client
transactions.
Material operational or payment errors could disadvantage Barclays
Group's customers, clients or counterparties and could result in
regulatory censure, legal liability, reputational damage and
financial loss for Barclays Group.
f) New and emergent technology
Technological advancements present opportunities to develop new and
innovative ways of doing business across Barclays Group, with new
solutions being developed both in-house and in association with
third-party companies. Introducing new forms of technology,
however, also has the potential to increase inherent
risk.
Failure to evaluate, actively manage and closely monitor risk
exposure during all phases of business development could lead
to customer detriment, loss of business, regulatory censure,
missed business opportunity and reputational damage.
g) Ability to hire and retain appropriately qualified
employees
As a regulated financial institution, Barclays Group requires
diversified and specialist skilled colleagues. Barclays Group's
ability to attract, develop and retain a diverse mix of talent is
key to the delivery of its core business activity and strategy.
This is impacted by a range of external and internal factors, such
as the UK's decision to leave the EU and the enhanced individual
accountability applicable to the banking industry.
Failure to attract or prevent the departure of appropriately
qualified and skilled employees could negatively impact our
financial performance, control environment and level of employee
engagement. Additionally, this may result in disruption
to service which could in turn lead to disenfranchising
certain customer groups, customer detriment and reputational
damage.
h) Tax risk
Barclays Group is required to comply with the domestic and
international tax laws and practice of all countries in which
it has business operations. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act has
introduced substantial changes to the US tax system, including
the introduction of a new tax, the Base Erosion Anti-Abuse Tax.
These changes have increased Barclays Group's tax compliance
obligations and require a number of system and process changes
which introduce additional operational risk. In addition,
increasing customer tax reporting requirements around the world and
the digitisation of the administration of tax has potential to
increase Barclays Group's tax compliance obligations further. In
light of the above, there is a risk that Barclays Group could
suffer losses due to additional tax charges, other financial costs
or reputational damage as a result of failing to comply with such
laws and practice, or by failing to manage its tax affairs in an
appropriate manner, with much of this risk attributable to the
international structure of Barclays Group.
i) Critical accounting estimates and judgements
The preparation of financial statements in accordance with
IFRS requires the use of estimates. It also requires
management to exercise judgement in applying relevant
accounting policies. The key areas involving a higher degree
of judgement or complexity, or areas where assumptions are
significant to the consolidated and individual financial
statements include credit impairment charges for amortised cost
assets, taxes, fair value of financial instruments, pensions
and post-retirement benefits, and provisions including conduct and
legal, competition and regulatory matters. There is a risk
that if the judgement exercised, or the estimates
or assumptions used, subsequently turn out to be incorrect,
this could result in significant loss to Barclays Group, beyond
what was anticipated or provided for.
The further development of standards and interpretations under
IFRS could also significantly impact the financial results,
condition and prospects of Barclays Group.
j) Data management and information protection
Barclays Group holds and processes large volumes of data, including
personally identifiable information, intellectual property, and
financial data. Failure to accurately collect and maintain
this data, protect it from breaches of confidentiality and
interference with its availability exposes Barclays Group
to the risk of loss or unavailability of data (including
customer data covered under vi), c) Data protection and
privacy, below) or data integrity issues. This could result in
regulatory censure, legal liability and reputational damage,
including the risk of substantial fines under the General Data
Protection Regulation (GDPR), which strengthens the data protection
rights for customers and increases the accountability of Barclays
Group in its management of that data.
k) Unauthorised or rogue trading
Unauthorised trading, such as a large unhedged position, which
arises through a failure of preventative controls or deliberate
actions of the trader, may result in large financial losses for
Barclays Group, loss of business, damage to investor confidence
and reputational damage.
l) Algorithmic trading
In some areas of the investment banking business, trading
algorithms are used to price and risk manage client and
principal transactions. An algorithmic error could result in
increased market exposure and subsequent financial losses for
Barclays Group and potential loss of business, damage to investor
confidence and reputational damage.
v) Model risk
Enhanced model risk management requirements
Barclays Group relies on models to support a broad range of
business and risk management activities, including informing
business decisions and strategies, measuring and limiting risk,
valuing exposures (including the calculation of impairment),
conducting stress testing, assessing capital adequacy, supporting
new business acceptance and risk and reward evaluation,
managing client assets, and meeting reporting
requirements.
Models are, by their nature, imperfect and incomplete
representations of reality because they rely on assumptions and
inputs, and so they may be subject to errors affecting the accuracy
of their outputs. For instance, the quality of the data used in
models across Barclays Group has a material impact on the accuracy
and completeness of our risk and financial metrics.
Models may also be misused. Model errors or misuse may result
in Barclays Group making inappropriate business decisions
and being subject to financial loss, regulatory risk,
reputational risk and/or inadequate capital reporting.
vi) Conduct risk
There is the risk of detriment to customers, clients, market
integrity, effective competition or Barclays from the inappropriate
supply of financial services, including instances of wilful or
negligent misconduct. This risk could manifest itself in a variety
of ways:
a) Product governance and life cycle
Ineffective product governance, including design, approval and
review of products, inappropriate controls over internal and
third-party sales channels and post-sales services, such as
complaints handling, collections and recoveries, could lead to
poor customer outcomes, as well as regulatory sanctions,
financial loss and reputational damage.
b) Financial crime
Barclays Group may be adversely affected if it fails to
effectively mitigate the risk that third parties or its employees
facilitate, or that its products and services are used to
facilitate financial crime (money laundering, terrorist financing
and proliferation financing, breaches of economic and financial
sanctions, bribery and corruption, and the facilitation of tax
evasion). UK and US regulations concerning financial institutions
continue to focus on combating financial crime. Failure to comply
may lead to enforcement action by Barclays Group's regulators
together with severe penalties, affecting Barclays Group's
reputation and financial results.
c) Data protection and privacy
Proper handling of personal data is critical to sustaining
long-term relationships with our customers and clients and to
meeting privacy laws and obligations. Failure to protect personal
data can lead to potential detriment to our customers and clients,
reputational damage, regulatory sanctions and financial loss, which
under the GDPR may be substantial (see iv (j) Data management
and information protection, above).
d) Regulatory focus on culture and accountability
Regulators around the world continue to emphasise the importance of
culture and personal accountability and the adoption and
enforcement of adequate internal reporting and whistle-blowing
procedures in helping to promote appropriate conduct and drive
positive outcomes for customers, colleagues, clients and markets.
Failure to meet the requirements and expectations of the UK Senior
Managers Regime, Certification Regime and Conduct Rules may lead to
regulatory sanctions, both for the individuals and Barclays
Group.
vii) Reputation risk
Barclays Group's association with sensitive sectors and its impact
on reputation
A risk arising in one business area can have an adverse effect
upon Barclays Group's overall reputation; any one transaction,
investment or event that, in the perception of key
stakeholders reduces their trust in Barclays Group's integrity and
competence.
Barclays Group's association with sensitive topics and sectors is
an area of concern for stakeholders, including:
● disclosure of climate risks and opportunities,
including the activities of certain sections of the client
base, which has become the subject of increased scrutiny
from regulators, NGOs and other
stakeholders
● the risks of association with human rights
violations through the perceived indirect involvement in human
rights abuses committed by clients and
customers
● the manufacture and export of military
and riot control goods and services by clients and
customers.
These associations have the potential to give rise to reputation
risk for Barclays Group and may result in loss of business,
regulatory censure and missed business opportunity.
In addition to the above, Reputation risk has the potential to
arise from operational issues or conduct matters which cause
detriment to customers, clients, market integrity, effective
competition or Barclays Group (see iv a) Cyber threat, iv j)
Data management and information protection, and vi) Conduct
risk, above).
viii) Legal risk and legal, competition and regulatory
matters
Legal disputes, regulatory investigations, fines and other
sanctions relating to conduct of business and breaches of
legislation and/or regulations may negatively affect Barclays
Group's results, reputation and ability to conduct its
business.
Barclays Group conducts diverse activities in a highly
regulated global market and therefore is exposed to the risk of
fines and other sanctions. Authorities have continued
to investigate past practices, pursued alleged breaches and
imposed heavy penalties on financial services firms. A breach of
applicable legislation and/or regulations could result
in Barclays Group or its staff being subject to criminal
prosecution, regulatory censure, fines and other sanctions in the
jurisdictions in which it operates. Where clients, customers
or other third parties are harmed by Barclays Group's conduct, this
may also give rise to legal proceedings, including class actions.
Other legal disputes may also arise between Barclays Group and
third parties relating to matters such as breaches,
enforcement of legal rights or obligations arising under
contracts, statutes or common law. Adverse findings in any such
matters may result in Barclays Group being liable to third parties,
or may result in Barclays Group's rights not being enforced as
intended.
Details of legal, competition and regulatory matters to which
Barclays Group is currently exposed are set out in Note 27. In
addition to matters specifically described in Note 27,
Barclays Group is engaged in various other legal proceedings which
arise in the ordinary course of business. Barclays Group is also
subject to requests for information, investigations and other
reviews by regulators, governmental and other public bodies in
connection with business activities in which Barclays Group is, or
has been, engaged.
The outcome of legal, competition and regulatory matters, both
those to which Barclays Group is currently exposed and
any others which may arise in the future, is difficult to
predict. In connection with such matters Barclays Group may
incur significant expense, regardless of the ultimate outcome, and
any such matters could expose Barclays Group to any of the
following outcomes: substantial monetary damages, settlements
and/or fines; remediation of affected customers and clients; other
penalties and injunctive relief; additional litigation; criminal
prosecution; the loss of any existing agreed protection from
prosecution; regulatory restrictions on Barclays Group's business
operations including the withdrawal of authorisations; increased
regulatory compliance requirements; suspension of operations;
public reprimands; loss of significant assets or business; a
negative effect on Barclays Group's reputation; loss
of confidence by investors, counterparties, clients and/or
customers; risk of credit rating agency downgrades; potential
negative impact on the availability and/or cost of funding and
liquidity; and/or dismissal or resignation of key individuals. In
light of the uncertainties involved in legal, competition and
regulatory matters, there can be no assurance that the outcome of a
particular matter or matters will not be material to Barclays
Group's results of operations or cash flow for a particular
period.
In January 2017, Barclays was sentenced to serve three years of
probation from the date of the sentencing order in accordance
with the terms of its May 2015 plea agreement with the Department
of Justice (DOJ). During the term of probation, Barclays Group
must, among other things, (i) commit no crime whatsoever in
violation of the federal laws of the US, (ii) implement and
continue to implement a compliance programme designed to
prevent and detect the conduct that gave rise to the plea
agreement, and (iii) strengthen its compliance and internal
controls as required by relevant regulatory or enforcement
agencies. Potential consequences of breaching the plea agreement
include the imposition of additional terms and conditions on
Barclays Group, an extension of the agreement, or the criminal
prosecution of Barclays Group, which could, in turn, entail further
financial penalties and collateral consequences and have a material
adverse effect on Barclays Group's business, operating results or
financial position.
There is also a risk that the outcome of any legal, competition or
regulatory matters in which Barclays Group is involved may give
rise to changes in law or regulation as part of a wider
response by relevant law makers and regulators. A decision in any
matter, either against Barclays Group or another financial
institution facing similar claims, could lead to further
claims against Barclays Group.
Related party transactions and Directors' remuneration (Note
39)
Related party transactions
Parties are considered to be related if one party has the ability
to control the other party or exercise significant influence over
the other party in making financial or operational decisions, or
one other party controls both.
Subsidiaries
Transactions between Barclays PLC and its subsidiaries meet the
definition of related party transactions. Where these are
eliminated on consolidation, they are not disclosed in the Barclays
Group's financial statements. Transactions between Barclays PLC and
its subsidiaries are fully disclosed in Barclays PLC's financial
statements. A list of the Barclays Group's principal subsidiaries
is shown in Note 34.
Associates, joint ventures and other entities
The Barclays Group provides banking services to its associates,
joint ventures and the Barclays Group pension funds (principally
the UK Retirement Fund), providing loans, overdrafts, interest and
non-interest bearing deposits and current accounts to these
entities as well as other services. Barclays Group companies also
provide investment management and custodian services to the
Barclays Group pension schemes. All of these transactions are
conducted on the same terms as third party transactions. Summarised
financial information for the Barclays Group's investments in
associates and joint ventures is set out in Note 36.
Amounts included in the Barclays Group's financial statements, in
aggregate, by category of related party entity are as
follows:
|
Associates
£m
|
Joint ventures
£m
|
Pension funds
£m
|
For the year ended and as at 31 December 2018
|
|
|
|
Total
income
|
-
|
7
|
4
|
Credit
impairment and other provisions
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Operating
expenses
|
(27)
|
(7)
|
-
|
Total
assets
|
12
|
1,288
|
3
|
Total
liabilities
|
85
|
2
|
139
|
For the year ended and as at 31 December 2017
|
|
|
|
Total
income
|
(20)
|
61
|
4
|
Credit
impairment and other provisions
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
Operating
expenses
|
-
|
(23)
|
-
|
Total
assets
|
2
|
1,048
|
2
|
Total
liabilities
|
75
|
2
|
162
|
For the year ended and as at 31 December 2016
|
|
|
|
Total
income
|
(20)
|
32
|
4
|
Credit
impairment and other provisions
|
(13)
|
-
|
-
|
Operating
expenses
|
-
|
(25)
|
-
|
Total
assets
|
72
|
2,244
|
-
|
Total
liabilities
|
94
|
95
|
260
|
Guarantees, pledges or commitments given in respect of these
transactions in the year were £20m (2017: £27m)
predominantly relating to joint ventures. No guarantees, pledges or
commitments were received in the year. Derivatives transacted on
behalf of the pensions funds were £3m (2017:
£3m).
Key Management Personnel
Key Management Personnel are defined as those persons having
authority and responsibility for planning, directing and
controlling the activities of Barclays PLC (directly or indirectly)
and comprise the Directors and Officers of Barclays PLC, certain
direct reports of the Group Chief Executive and the heads of major
business units and functions.
There were no material related party transactions with entities
under common directorship where a member of Key Management
Personnel (or any connected person) is also a member of Key
Management Personnel (or any connected person) of Barclays
PLC.
The Barclays Group provides banking services to Key Management
Personnel and persons connected to them. Transactions during the
year and the balances outstanding were as follows:
Loans outstanding
|
|
|
|
2018
£m
|
2017
£m
|
As at 1 January
|
4.8
|
9.2
|
Loans issued during the yeara
|
4.2
|
0.5
|
Loan repayments during the yearb
|
(1.8)
|
(4.9)
|
As at 31 December
|
7.2
|
4.8
|
Notes
a.
|
Includes loans issued to existing Key Management Personnel and new
or existing loans issued to newly appointed Key Management
Personnel.
|
b.
|
Includes loan repayments by existing Key Management Personnel and
loans to former Key Management Personnel.
|
No allowances for impairment were recognised in respect of loans to
Key Management Personnel (or any connected person).
Deposits outstanding
|
|
|
|
2018
£m
|
2017
£m
|
As at 1 January
|
6.9
|
7.3
|
Deposits received during the
yeara
|
24.8
|
25.7
|
Deposits repaid during the yearb
|
(24.8)
|
(26.1)
|
As at 31 December
|
6.9
|
6.9
|
Notes
a.
|
Includes deposits received from existing Key Management Personnel
and new or existing deposits received from newly appointed Key
Management Personnel.
|
b.
|
Includes deposits repaid by existing Key Management Personnel and
deposits of former Key Management Personnel.
|
Total commitments outstanding
Total commitments outstanding refers to the total of any undrawn
amounts on credit cards and/or overdraft facilities provided to Key
Management Personnel. Total commitments outstanding as at 31
December 2018 were £0.9m (2017: £0.3m).
All loans to Key Management Personnel (and persons connected to
them), (a) were made in the ordinary course of business, (b) were
made on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and
collateral, as those prevailing at the same time for comparable
transactions with other persons and (c) did not involve more than a
normal risk of collectability or present other unfavourable
features.
Remuneration of Key Management Personnel
Total remuneration awarded to Key Management Personnel below
represents the awards made to individuals that have been approved
by the Board Remuneration Committee as part of the latest
remuneration decisions, and is consistent with the approach adopted
for disclosures set out on pages 99 to 126. Costs recognised in the
income statement reflect the accounting charge for the year
included within operating expenses. The difference between the
values awarded and the recognised income statement charge
principally relates to the recognition of deferred costs for prior
year awards. Figures are provided for the period that individuals
met the definition of Key Management Personnel.
|
2018
£m
|
2017
£m
|
Salaries
and other short-term benefits
|
33.0
|
33.9
|
Pension
costs
|
-
|
0.1
|
Other
long-term benefits
|
7.6
|
18.4
|
Share-based
payments
|
16.2
|
26.8
|
Employer
social security charges on emoluments
|
7.5
|
9.6
|
Costs recognised for accounting purposes
|
64.3
|
88.8
|
Employer
social security charges on emoluments
|
(7.5)
|
(9.6)
|
Other
long-term benefits - difference between awards granted and costs
recognised
|
2.8
|
(9.8)
|
Share-based
payments - difference between awards granted and costs
recognised
|
0.7
|
(11.7)
|
Total remuneration awarded
|
60.3
|
57.7
|
Disclosure required by the Companies Act 2006
The following information regarding the Barclays PLC Board of
Directors is presented in accordance with the Companies Act
2006:
|
2018
£m
|
2017
£m
|
Aggregate emolumentsa
|
9.0
|
8.5
|
Amounts paid under LTIPsb
|
0.9
|
1.1
|
|
9.9
|
9.6
|
Notes
a.
|
The aggregate emoluments include amounts paid for the 2018 year. In
addition, deferred share awards for 2018 with a total value at
grant of £1m (2017: £1m) will be made to James E Staley
and Tushar Morzaria which will only vest subject to meeting certain
conditions.
|
b.
|
The figure above for 'Amounts paid under LTIPs' in 2018 relates to
an LTIP award that was released to Tushar Morzaria in 2018.
Dividend shares released on the award are excluded. The LTIP figure
in the single total figure table for executive Directors' 2018
remuneration in the Directors' Remuneration report relates to the
award that is scheduled to be released in 2019 in respect of the
2016-2018 LTIP cycle
|
There were no pension contributions paid to defined contribution
schemes on behalf of Directors (2017: nil). There were no notional
pension contributions to defined contribution schemes.
As at 31 December 2018, there were no Directors accruing benefits
under a defined benefit scheme (2017: nil).
Directors' and Officers' shareholdings and options
The beneficial ownership of ordinary share capital of Barclays PLC
by all Directors and Officers of Barclays PLC (involving 24
persons) at 31 December 2018 amounted to 18,884,023 (2017:
12,460,877) ordinary shares of 25p each (0.11% of the ordinary
share capital outstanding).
As at 31 December 2018, executive Directors and Officers of
Barclays PLC (involving 11 persons) held options to purchase a
total of 6,000 (2017: 6,000) Barclays PLC ordinary shares of 25p
each at a price of 120p under Sharesave.
Advances and credit to Directors and guarantees on behalf of
Directors
In accordance with Section 413 of the Companies Act 2006, the total
amount of advances and credits made available in 2018 to persons
who served as Directors during the year was £0.4m (2017:
£0.2m). The total value of guarantees entered into on behalf
of Directors during 2018 was nil (2017: nil).
Directors' responsibility statement
The Directors have responsibility for ensuring that the Company and
the Barclays Group keep accounting records which disclose
with reasonable accuracy the financial position of the Company
and the Barclays Group and which enable them to ensure
that the accounts comply with the Companies Act
2006.
The Directors are also responsible for preparing a Strategic
report, Directors' report, Directors' remuneration report and
Corporate governance statement in accordance with applicable law
and regulations.
The Directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of
the Annual Report and financial statements as they appear on the
Company's website. Legislation in the UK governing the preparation
and dissemination of financial statements may differ from
legislation in other jurisdictions.
The Directors have a general responsibility for taking such steps
as are reasonably open to them to safeguard the assets of the
Barclays Group and to prevent and detect fraud and other
irregularities.
The Directors, whose names and functions are set out on pages
51 and 52, confirm to the best of their knowledge
that:
a.
|
the financial statements, prepared in accordance with the
applicable set of accounting standards, give a true and fair view
of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit or loss
of the Company and the undertakings included in the consolidation
taken as a whole; and
|
b.
|
the management report, on pages 5 to 39, which is incorporated in
the Directors' report, includes a fair review of the development
and performance of the business and the position of the Company and
the undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a whole,
together with a description of the principal risks
and uncertainties that they face.
|
By order of the Board
Stephen Shapiro
Company Secretary
20 February 2019
Barclays PLC
Registered in England.
Company No. 48839
Forward-looking statements
This document contains certain forward-looking statements within
the meaning of Section 21E of the US Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended, and Section 27A of the US Securities Act of 1933,
as amended, with respect to the Barclays Group. Barclays cautions
readers that no forward-looking statement is a guarantee of future
performance and that actual results or other financial condition or
performance measures could differ materially from those contained
in the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements
can be identified by the fact that they do not relate only to
historical or current facts. Forward-looking statements sometimes
use words such as 'may', 'will', 'seek', 'continue', 'aim',
'anticipate', 'target', 'projected', 'expect', 'estimate',
'intend', 'plan', 'goal', 'believe', 'achieve' or other words of
similar meaning. Examples of forward-looking statements include,
among others, statements or guidance regarding or relating to the
Barclays Group's future financial position, income growth, assets,
impairment charges, provisions, business strategy, capital,
leverage and other regulatory ratios, payment of dividends
(including dividend payout ratios and expected payment strategies),
projected levels of growth in the banking and financial markets,
projected costs or savings, any commitments and targets, estimates
of capital expenditures, plans and objectives for future
operations, projected employee numbers, IFRS 9 impacts and other
statements that are not historical fact. By their nature,
forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because
they relate to future events and circumstances. These may be
affected by changes in legislation, the development of standards
and interpretations under International Financial Reporting
Standards including the continuing impact of IFRS 9 implementation,
evolving practices with regard to the interpretation and
application of accounting and regulatory standards, the outcome of
current and future legal proceedings and regulatory investigations,
future levels of conduct provisions, the policies and actions of
governmental and regulatory authorities, geopolitical risks and the
impact of competition. In addition, factors including (but not
limited to) the following may have an effect: capital, leverage and
other regulatory rules applicable to past, current and future
periods; UK, US, Eurozone and global macroeconomic and business
conditions; the effects of any volatility in credit markets; market
related risks such as changes in interest rates and foreign
exchange rates; effects of changes in valuation of credit market
exposures; changes in valuation of issued securities; volatility in
capital markets; changes in credit ratings of any entities within
the Barclays Group or any securities issued by such entities; the
potential for one or more countries exiting the Eurozone;
instability as a result of the exit by the United Kingdom from the
European Union and the disruption that may subsequently result in
the UK and globally; and the success of future acquisitions,
disposals and other strategic transactions. A number of these
influences and factors are beyond the Barclays Group's control. As
a result, the Barclays Group's actual future results, dividend
payments, and capital and leverage ratios may differ materially
from the plans, goals, expectations and guidance set forth in the
Barclays Group's forward-looking statements. Additional risks and
factors which may impact the Barclays Group's future financial
condition and performance are identified in our filings with the
SEC (including, without limitation, our Annual Report on form 20-F
for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2018), which are available on
the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.
Subject to our obligations under the applicable laws and
regulations of the United Kingdom and the United States in relation
to disclosure and ongoing information, we undertake no obligation
to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements,
whether as a result of new information, future events or
otherwise
- Ends -
For further information, please contact:
Investor
Relations
|
Media
Relations
|
Lisa
Bartrip
|
Tom
Hoskin
|
+44 (0)
20 7773 0708
|
+44 (0)
20 7116 6927
|
About Barclays
Barclays is a transatlantic consumer and wholesale bank offering
products and services across personal, corporate and investment
banking, credit cards and wealth management, with a strong presence
in our two home markets of the UK and the US.
With over 325 years of history and expertise in banking, Barclays
operates in over 40 countries and employs approximately 83,500
people. Barclays moves, lends, invests and protects money for
customers and clients worldwide.
For further information about Barclays, please visit our
website www.barclays.com