...Diversified Global Franchise: Barclays plcs (Barclays) and Barclays Bank plcs Viability Ratings (VR) reflect the groups diversified operations. The group is reducing its securities businesses, but these will still account for a sizeable part of its operations and expose the bank to material market and credit risk. The banks presence in more volatile securities businesses is balanced by its franchise in domestic retail and corporate banking and its strong market position in credit cards. Updated Strategy: Barclays presented an update of its strategy review in May 2014. The group decided to reduce its securities businesses further than previously planned and expects its investment banking division to account for no more than 30% of group risk-weighted assets. The group will concentrate on its retail and corporate banking and credit card businesses, but securities businesses will remain large. As part of its update, the group established a new unit, where non-core assets are managed. Improving...
