Barclays
Private Bank

An independent review by our team of experts

Barclays' overall services can be grouped into 3 main categories:

Banking
Investments
Philanthropy

Here's an overview of what each of them entail.

1. Banking:

Barclays' banking services range from digital services to credit solutions. This includes:

Private banking:

Barclays' private banking services can be briefly summarised below:
- Analytics to select investments
- Complex structuring
- Hedging
- Investment banking
- Family office services
- Banking products and online banking solutions
Banking and credit solutions:

Barclays' banking solutions includes money market funds that are available in 3 currencies, notice accounts across multiple currencies, treasury deposits, digital banking services and 24/7 support facilities.

Credit solutions include real estate financing options, structured credit, trade finance and securities-backed financing.
Wealth advisory:

Barclays Private Bank claim to understand client's unique needs, goals and help them structure their finances and put a succession plan in place accordingly. These wealth advisory solutions also includes estate planning, retirement planning, liquidity planning and family offices support.
Digital banking:

Barclays Private Bank allows clients to view their investments anytime and anywhere through their online system. They also have a mobile banking app that is available in both Google Play and the App Store.

2. Investment:

Investment services:

Barclays Private Bank claim to have investment services that give clients the flexibility to chose what is most suited to their goals and circumstances. These services can be summarised below:

Title	Description
Discretionary services	Under this, a dedicated portfolio manager invests on a client's behalf.
Advisory services	Under this, the client still has control over his portfolio but gets advice from a dedicated private banker and investment advisor.
Execution only	Here the clients are not advised (by choice) but provided with market information and real-time data to facilitate their decision making.
Direct access	This service gives clients access to execution specialists and dedicated experts in equity, fixed income and the foreign exchange markets.

Discretionary portfolio management:

Barclays Private Bank offer clients DFM solutions where their portfolios are actively managed by professionals (we would recommend reading the expert verdict). It structures each individual client's portfolio to their risk capacity, preferences and goals.
Sustainable portfolio management:

Barclays Private Bank offer a sustainable portfolio management option for clients looking to make a positive impact through their investing. These sustainable portfolios claim to deliver good investment returns while supporting social issues that matter to the individual investor.
Strategic solutions:

The strategic solutions provided by Barclays Private Bank range from direct investment options to corporate financing and other real estate and private equity investment options. We would highly recommend reading the expert verdict section of this review before making a decision.

3. Philanthropy services:

Barclays Private Bank offer philanthropic services to clients to help them identify causes close to their heart and advice them throughout the way. This includes guidance on the best structure options, causes, areas to support and more.

NOTE:

We would recommend reading the 'expert verdict' section of this review to make an informed financial decision.

Additionally, here's a free guide that can help you achieve better results. In this guide, you'll learn:

Academic evidence only shared with a select few firms across the world
A real-life example of why you should never try to outguess the market
Why a fund's past performance is not enough to predict future returns
Why you need to focus on what you can control and why this leads to a better investment experience
Why you should accept the markets for what they are
What can impact behaviour and make people seek instant gratification

The Pros

> Top tier private bank

> Strong brand name

The Cons

> Not a fiduciary

> Higher fees

> Lack independence

Does Barclays offer their services to corporates?

Yes, Barclays Private Bank does offer their services to corporates and intermediaries.

Their regional operations in Switzerland are said to serve corporates and other independent managers.

Does Barclays Private Bank have an office in the Middle East?

Yes, Barclays Private Bank has an office in the Middle East.

They also have offices in:

Monaco
India
North Africa
Switzerland
Ireland
United Kingdom.

Expert assessment of Barclays Private Bank

Barclays is a very large, top tier private bank with a very strong brand name, making them a good option for senior international investors.

However due to its sheer size, private banking clients are likely to be treated as a number, and less likely to experience the traditional values you might expect from a private bank, such as trust and an uncompromising duty of care.

Barclays also lack independence and are only able to push their own products and services, as opposed to being able to offer you the best available in the market.

This is likely to result in higher fees.

Because Barclays 'do everything', their private bankers are also likely to be incentivised to sell you a bit of everything.

If you are already a private banking client of Barlcays, we would recommend a no-obligation Second Opinion to ensure you are on track to reach your ideal future.

Additionally, we are happy to review the financial plan that has led to the investment portfolio you currently have.

The information in this material is intended for the recipient’s background information and use only. It is provided in good faith and without any warranty or, representation as to accuracy or completeness. Information and opinions presented in this material have been obtained or derived from sources believed by AES to be reliable and AES has reasonable grounds to believe that all factual information herein is true as at the date of issue. It does not constitute investment advice, recommendation, or an offer of any services or products for sale and is not intended to provide a sufficient basis on which to make an investment decision. It is the responsibility of any persons wishing to make a purchase to inform themselves of and observe all applicable laws and regulations. Unauthorised reproduction or transmitting of this material is strictly prohibited. AES accepts no responsibility for loss arising from the use of the information contained herein.

‘AES’ refers to the AES Group’s separate but affiliated entities generally, rather than to one particular entity. These entities are AES Middle East Insurance Broker LLC registered with the UAE Ministry of Economy, United Arab Emirates, Licence no. 571368, and Commercial Registration no. 75162 and regulated by the UAE Central Bank license no. 189; AES Financial Services Limited, incorporated and registered in England and Wales with company number 06063185, authorised and regulated by the UK Financial Conduct Authority FRN: 464494; AES Financial Services (DIFC) Ltd, registered in the Dubai Financial Centre (DIFC) as a foreign company, license no.2128, and regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) Reference No F003476; AES International Limited, a private company incorporated and registered in the British Virgin Islands with company number 1839872; AES International Global Limited, a private company incorporated and registered in the British Virgin Islands with company number 1887885. Please visit our authorisations page for further information on regulation, redress and accessibility.

If you are outside the UK and we advise you or carry out other business, nearly all the rules, regulations and arrangements made under the UK regulatory regime (including the rules made by the FCA and the dispute resolution process provided by the UK Financial Ombudsman Service) will not apply to most aspects of the service you receive, such advice or business being provided from outside the UK. You should therefore clearly understand such rights and protection as are afforded in the jurisdiction where you receive advice. Local law, regulation and redress processes will apply in almost all cases, and will be different from that of the UK.

RISKS

Investments involve risks. The investment return and principal value of an investment may fluctuate so that an investment, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than the capital invested. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. There is no guarantee strategies will be successful. For further information, please click here.

Barclays Private Bank was founded in 1690.

It is a British multinational bank headquartered in London.

Barclays has over 4,750 branches in about 55 countries and employs around 10,000 people.

Barclays Private Bank operates under two main divisions:

Barclays UK and
Barclays International

Barclays is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. It is also a member of the London Stock Exchange and NEX.

Barclays
Private Bank

An independent review by our team of experts

REVIEW SUMMARY