Barclays

In Section 2:

Corporate Social Responsibility

Directors and officers of Barclays PLC and Barclays Bank PLC

Directors' report

Corporate governance
report

Barclays report on
remuneration

Accountability and Audit

Presentation of
information

Risk management

Making affordable credit available to individuals and small businesses is a key part of our approach to promoting financial inclusion.

In 2002, we increased our support for credit unions with a contribution of Ł173,000. Barclays funded the pilot introduction of PEARLS financial monitoring software in nine credit unions in England, Scotland and Wales at a cost of more than Ł100,000. PEARLS helps credit unions measure their financial performance and has played an important part in the expansion of the credit union movement worldwide. Early signs suggest that the pilot is going well, and Barclays will seek to extend its support for the project in 2003.

Barclays currently supports nine CDFIs in deprived communities in the UK. CDFIs act as 'lender of last resort' to local businesses, social enterprises and individuals. In 2002, we agreed subsidised lending to the CDFI sector of Ł1.5 million and made grants of Ł122,000, bringing our total commitment to Ł2.7 million in subsidised lending and Ł287,000 in grants over recent years. During 2002, Barclays worked with the New Economics Foundation in a pilot study to determine how data on local economies can help promote economic regeneration. This work is due to be published during 2003.

Last year, Barclays provided Ł2.3 million for independent money advice services and financial education. This included the first of two years of funding for the Birmingham Settlement’s pilot scheme offering local citizens free and independent information about bank accounts, savings, mortgages and investments.

Promoting financial literacy is an increasing priority for Barclays. In 2002, we agreed a three-year sponsorship of the uproject which runs summer activities for school leavers and helps them make informed decisions about their future including financial issues. More than 10,000 young people participated.

More than 7,000 budding entrepreneurs were targeted to attend Start Right seminars run by Barclays in conjunction with the National Federation of Enterprise Agencies. During 2002, 353 local seminars were held for people in the early stages of running their own business or considering self-employment. Thirty-four (9%) were held in deprived areas, up from thirteen (3%) in 2001.

Barclays equality and diversity charter, signed by all members of the Group’s Executive Committee in 2001, embraces all customers.

In 2002, we invested a further Ł7.7 million in an ongoing project to improve access to our branches for disabled customers by introducing facilities such as wheelchair access, power-assisted doors and hearing induction loops. We plan to make similar improvements to more branches in 2003.

A focus group of disabled customers was established to help Barclays understand how better to meet their needs. In late 2002, mystery shopping of branches and the telephone banking service was used to assess employees’ general attitude and demeanour towards disabled people. The results have identified a number of employee training needs for customer facing staff.

Barclays also made it easier for visually impaired customers to access information by improving the online ordering system for product leaflets in alternative formats (there is also a telephone ordering line). The booklet that highlights services for disabled customers, Disabled customers: Making our services available, is published in standard print, Braille, large print and audiotape and can be ordered online as well as by post, over the telephone and in person at branches. The Annual Review and Summary Financial Statement 2002 is available in alternative formats upon request.

Making Business sense

CSR in the marketplace

CSR in the workplace

CSR in the community

CSR in the environment