Barclays Capital is the investment-banking arm of global financial-services giant Barclays Bank PLC. BarCap provides its clients with strategic advisory, financing and risk management services. Its products and services include bonds, commodities, convertible bonds, credit products, electronic trading, emerging markets, equity cash, equity derivatives, equity origination, foreign exchange, fund-linked derivatives, fund solutions, index products, inflation-linked products, interest rate products, leveraged finance, loans, market makers, mergers & acquisitions, multi-asset program trading, municipal finance, prime services, private equity, research, restructuring and securitization.
BarCap is expanding its U.K. equity underwriting and corporate-broking business as it builds its European investment-banking division to complement its acquisition of Lehman Brothers Holdings' North American investment banking, capital markets, and private investment management businesses. Even so, the investment bank has grown its headcount by 40% since the financial downturn, bolstering its prime brokerage, equities, advisory and other businesses.
Barclays history stretches back to 17th century London. The investment bank describes its management structure as "flat" and avows a commitment to state-of-the-art technology. BarCap has had a reputation as a tight-knit, fiercely loyal shop with a high retention rate, low partner-to-employee ratio and a relative lack of emphasis on hierarchy compared to rivals. President Robert Diamond is known for having a "no-jerk rule."