Barclays has commissioned an independent review of the facts around the mistake. Reuters
Barclays has commissioned an independent review of the facts around the mistake. Reuters
Barclays has commissioned an independent review of the facts around the mistake. Reuters
Barclays has commissioned an independent review of the facts around the mistake. Reuters

Barclays hit by £450m loss on trading error


Alice Haine
  • English
  • Arabic

Barclays said it expects to take a £450 million ($588.8m) hit on mishandled structured product sales causing the British bank to delay its share buyback.

The lender said it issued $15.2 billion more structured and exchange-traded notes than it had registered for sale in the US over a period of about a year, heavily overshooting its $20.8bn limit.

The securities must now be bought back at their original purchase price, the bank said. The trading error was under investigation, it said.

Barclays Bank, the subsidiary that holds the lender’s corporate and investment bank, found that “securities offered and sold under its US shelf registration statement during a period of approximately one year exceeded the registered amount”, a statement by the lender said.

"Barclays has commissioned an independent review of the facts and circumstances relating to this matter including, among other things, the control environment related to such issuances," it said.

"Separately, regulatory authorities are conducting inquiries and making requests for information."

The mishandled products were two exchange-traded notes linked to crude oil and market volatility, sources said, with the bank suspending sales and issuance of the notes this month.

The firm issued about $36bn of investment products after registering with US regulators in August 2019 to sell up to $20.8bn, the bank’s statement said, with the trading error now requiring Barclays to repurchase the affected securities — a so-called rescission offer — at their original price.

The bank said its "best estimate at this time" was that the loss would amount to £450m, cutting its core capital ratio down to the middle of its 13-14 per cent target range, with the loss estimate not including tax.

As a result the bank said it would delay a planned £1bn share buyback, first unveiled on February 23 as part of its full-year 2021 results, until the second quarter of this year, while the independent review was carried out.

Barclays' wider investment bank had previously proved a stellar performer for the group over recent years, helping it post a record annual profit for 2021.

Analysts at Shore Capital said in a note that the bank appeared to be "tripping over its shoelaces", while other analysts called the mistake “basic”, “bizarre” and “embarrassing”.

Major banks typically file for blanket registrations that allow them to regularly issue notes that give clients a chance to bet on everything from market volatility to the performance of shares.

Market observers also said they could not recall a bank’s issuance exceeding the amount it registered, let alone blowing billions past its limit.

Chief executive C S Venkatakrishnan, who took charge of the lender in November, was the group’s chief risk officer at the time the registration document was filed.

“This kind of seemingly basic error may shake confidence in the investment bank going forward,” said Fahed Kunwar, an analyst at Redburn.

“With a new management team in place, there are already questions on the ability of the investment bank to continue to its strong performance.”

Shares in Barclays were down 2.8 per cent at 11.37am London time on Monday.

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While you're here

 

 

Our legal advisor

Ahmad El Sayed is Senior Associate at Charles Russell Speechlys, a law firm headquartered in London with offices in the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Hong Kong.

Experience: Commercial litigator who has assisted clients with overseas judgments before UAE courts. His specialties are cases related to banking, real estate, shareholder disputes, company liquidations and criminal matters as well as employment related litigation. 

Education: Sagesse University, Beirut, Lebanon, in 2005.

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How has net migration to UK changed?

The figure was broadly flat immediately before the Covid-19 pandemic, standing at 216,000 in the year to June 2018 and 224,000 in the year to June 2019.

It then dropped to an estimated 111,000 in the year to June 2020 when restrictions introduced during the pandemic limited travel and movement.

The total rose to 254,000 in the year to June 2021, followed by steep jumps to 634,000 in the year to June 2022 and 906,000 in the year to June 2023.

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The Details

Article 15
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Our rating: 4/5 

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What drives subscription retailing?

Once the domain of newspaper home deliveries, subscription model retailing has combined with e-commerce to permeate myriad products and services.

The concept has grown tremendously around the world and is forecast to thrive further, according to UnivDatos Market Insights’ report on recent and predicted trends in the sector.

The global subscription e-commerce market was valued at $13.2 billion (Dh48.5bn) in 2018. It is forecast to touch $478.2bn in 2025, and include the entertainment, fitness, food, cosmetics, baby care and fashion sectors.

The report says subscription-based services currently constitute “a small trend within e-commerce”. The US hosts almost 70 per cent of recurring plan firms, including leaders Dollar Shave Club, Hello Fresh and Netflix. Walmart and Sephora are among longer established retailers entering the space.

UnivDatos cites younger and affluent urbanites as prime subscription targets, with women currently the largest share of end-users.

That’s expected to remain unchanged until 2025, when women will represent a $246.6bn market share, owing to increasing numbers of start-ups targeting women.

Personal care and beauty occupy the largest chunk of the worldwide subscription e-commerce market, with changing lifestyles, work schedules, customisation and convenience among the chief future drivers.

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Creator: Lauren LeFranc

Rating: 4/5

Essentials

The flights
Emirates, Etihad and Malaysia Airlines all fly direct from the UAE to Kuala Lumpur and on to Penang from about Dh2,300 return, including taxes. 
 

Where to stay
In Kuala Lumpur, Element is a recently opened, futuristic hotel high up in a Norman Foster-designed skyscraper. Rooms cost from Dh400 per night, including taxes. Hotel Stripes, also in KL, is a great value design hotel, with an infinity rooftop pool. Rooms cost from Dh310, including taxes. 


In Penang, Ren i Tang is a boutique b&b in what was once an ancient Chinese Medicine Hall in the centre of Little India. Rooms cost from Dh220, including taxes.
23 Love Lane in Penang is a luxury boutique heritage hotel in a converted mansion, with private tropical gardens. Rooms cost from Dh400, including taxes. 
In Langkawi, Temple Tree is a unique architectural villa hotel consisting of antique houses from all across Malaysia. Rooms cost from Dh350, including taxes.

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The National's picks

4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
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9.30pm: Forever Young

Living in...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.

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What is 'Soft Power'?

Soft power was first mentioned in 1990 by former US Defence Secretary Joseph Nye. 
He believed that there were alternative ways of cultivating support from other countries, instead of achieving goals using military strength. 
Soft power is, at its root, the ability to convince other states to do what you want without force. 
This is traditionally achieved by proving that you share morals and values.

The National Archives, Abu Dhabi

Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.

Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en

Chef Nobu's advice for eating sushi

“One mistake people always make is adding extra wasabi. There is no need for this, because it should already be there between the rice and the fish.
“When eating nigiri, you must dip the fish – not the rice – in soy sauce, otherwise the rice will collapse. Also, don’t use too much soy sauce or it will make you thirsty. For sushi rolls, dip a little of the rice-covered roll lightly in soy sauce and eat in one bite.
“Chopsticks are acceptable, but really, I recommend using your fingers for sushi. Do use chopsticks for sashimi, though.
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WOMAN AND CHILD

Director: Saeed Roustaee

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Rating: 4/5

Name: Colm McLoughlin

Country: Galway, Ireland

Job: Executive vice chairman and chief executive of Dubai Duty Free

Favourite golf course: Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club

Favourite part of Dubai: Palm Jumeirah

 

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Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
  • Priority access to new homes from participating developers
  • Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
  • Flexible payment plans from developers
  • Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
  • DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Updated: March 29, 2022, 9:12 AM`