Barclays 2010 Annual Report Download - page 21

Supporting
financial literacy
Helping people manage their money is at the
core of our business, and is an important part
of Barclays citizenship strategy. In 2010 we
delivered more than 8,500 financial literacy
workshops around the world, and through
a combination of face-to-face seminars and
online content, reached more than half a
million people, helping them build the skills
and confidence to manage their money
effectively, achieve financial independence
and build a secure future.
In the UK, Barclays Money Skills is working
with key partners to develop a range of
projects and tools to help vulnerable young
people. For example, we’re working in
partnership with Action for Children to benefit
more than 2,500 of the hardest to reach
young people. A case in point is Sean. Sean
is 16 years old and lives in Glasgow. He is
currently in the process of moving from a care
home into supported living accommodation,
where he will gradually be assuming
responsibility for paying bills, furnishing his
flat and providing meals for himself. Sean
said: “… because of what I’ve learnt on the
Barclays Money Skills course, I’ve made a
spending plan, so I know what cash I have
for food, travel, bills and my social life”.
GRB is also delivering financial literacy
programmes in a number of other countries
including Ghana, Mauritius, Zambia and
Egypt. In Botswana, Barclays launched a
financial literacy campaign in 2010 with
the Baylor’s Teen Club. The Club is an
organisation that provides life skills training
and counselling to HIV positive adolescents.
With Barclays support, the Teen Club is now
working in six villages across the country
and has partnered with Barclays colleagues
to deliver training to 280 HIV positive teens.
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Reinforcing our leading position
in technology and innovation
At Barclays, we continue to lead the
technological revolution that is sweeping
across the banking world. We have pioneered
contactless payments in the UK and we will be
offering contactless mobile phone payment
solution for customers in the summer of 2011.
In addition, customers can also use their GPS
facility on their mobiles to find the nearest
Barclays branch and cash machines.
Recognising that mobile access is fast
becoming the new frontier in the banking
space, and building upon our achievements
with Barclays.mobi in the UK, we recently
went live in France and in Portugal, giving
customers access to banking at a place and
time that suits them. In Kenya and Botswana,
registration for our mobile banking service
this year increased almost four-fold.
At the same time, we continue to be leaders in
bringing contactless technology to the UK, with
approximately 90% of contactless transactions
from a Barclays-issued card, and transaction
volumes more than doubling in the last year.
Our innovative edge will allow us to move one
step further in 2011. In the UK, in association
with Orange (or Everything Everywhere as
they are now known), Barclaycard customers,
from the summer of 2011, will be able to use
their mobiles for contactless payments of up
to £15 for goods and services at retailers –
by simply waving their handset against a
contactless reader.
“This is the beginning of a revolution in how
we pay for things on the high street. It’s
a cultural shift that is as important as the
launch of the personal credit card or ATMs.”
(Gerry McQuade, Chief Development Officer
at Everything Everywhere)
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Barclays PLC Annual Report 2010 www.barclays.com/annualreport10 19
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