barclays plc (BARC) Snapshot

Barclays and MSCI Inc. announced the launch of a global family of Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) Fixed Income Indices, the fixed income benchmark indices based primarily on ESG factors. The indices are co-branded "Barclays MSCI" and will be independently marketed by both firms. The Barclays MSCI ESG Fixed Income Indices comprise more than 500 standard and bespoke indices representing the most widely used ESG strategies and investment objectives across three categories: Barclays MSCI Socially Responsible (SRI) Indices exclude issuers that engage in particular businesses activities that may be restricted for certain investors and are intended for investors whose investment selections are governed by values-based policies; Barclays MSCI Sustainability Indices apply a best-in-class methodology to select issuers (sovereign, corporate, and quasi-sovereign) with high ESG ratings relative to their peers. These indices are intended for investors who place a premium on companies' sustainability strategies and believe ESG criteria can be applied to identify companies that are more effective in managing the ESG risks unique to their industry; Barclays MSCI ESG Weighted Indices use ESG ratings to systematically over- and under-weight issuers within a bond index using an objective rules-based approach. These indices are targeted toward universal owners whose investment strategies express a view on the financial impact that ESG factors will have on their investments. These indices fill a critical gap in the market by providing asset owners and managers with ESG commitments, such as UN PRI (United Nations Principles for Responsible Investing) signatories, with a comprehensive series of performance benchmarks. Additionally, institutional investors will be able to leverage these indices to create index-linked investment products, such as Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs), separately managed accounts, and structured products, based on ESG investment themes.

Skyscanner has appointed Barclays as its core provider of corporate banking services. The launch of facilities such as Barclays Mobile and mobile payment service Barclays Pingit have seen the organization lead the market in terms of developing new service platforms for both personal and corporate clients.

Barclays announced departures from its Glasgow, Liverpool and Edinburgh offices. Mark Esner, an established private banker in the Liverpool office, has left Barclays' wealth and investment division, alongside Duncan Gourlay and David Ridland from the bank's Glasgow branch. Edinburgh-based associate director David Paterson has also left the business. Their departures follow a management restructure of its regional offices, which has seen Mark Little's responsibilities as managing director of Scotland and Ireland taken up by Calum Brewster. Little remains at the bank and now sits on a committee focusing on key clients. Brewster reports into Andrew Houston, who now officially oversees all of the regions outside London: comprising the North, Scotland, Midlands, Wales and the West. Steve Thompson is regional head for the North of England under the new structure, with overall responsibility for Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Newcastle and Sheffield. Alan Edwards, formerly head of Manchester, has seen his reach expand to Liverpool, while Martin Cuthbert who formerly headed the Leeds office, now oversees the bank's Newcastle hub as well.