Barclays 2003 Annual Report Download - page 2

This document contains certain forward-looking statements within the
meaning of section 21E of the US Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended and section 27A of the US Securities Act of 1933, as amended, with
respect to certain of the Group’s plans and its current goals and expectations
relating to its future financial condition and performance. The Group may also
make forward-looking statements in other written materials, including other
documents filed with or furnished to the SEC. In addition, the Group’s senior
management may make forward-looking statements orally to analysts,
investors, representatives of the media and others. In particular, among
other statements, certain statements in the Financial Review and Business
Description with regard to management objectives, trends in results of
operations, margins, costs, return on equity, risk management, and
competition are forward looking in nature. These forward-looking statements
can be identified by the fact that they do not relate only to historical or
current facts. Forward-looking statements often use words such as ‘anticipate’,
‘target’, ‘expect’, ‘estimate’, ‘intend’, ‘plan’, ‘goal’, ‘believe’, or other words of
similar meaning. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and
uncertainty because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that
will occur in the future. The Group’s actual future results may differ materially
from those set out in the Group’s forward-looking statements. There are many
factors that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially
from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Any
forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of the Group speak only as of
the date they are made. Barclays does not undertake to update forward-looking
statements to reflect any changes in the Group’s expectations with regard
thereto or any changes in events, conditions or circumstances on which any
such statement is based. The reader should, however, consult any additional
disclosures Barclays may make in documents it files with the SEC.
Barclays at a glance
Barclays is an international financial services group
engaged primarily in banking, investment banking
and asset management. In terms of market
capitalisation, Barclays is one of the largest financial
services groups in the UK.
The Group also operates in many other countries and
is a leading provider of global services to multinational
corporations and financial institutions in the world’s
main financial centres. Worldwide, Barclays has 2,916
branches and employs 74,800 staff.
Our mission
To be an innovative, customer-focused Group that
delivers superb products and services, ensures
excellent careers for our people and contributes
positively to the communities in which we live
and work.
Our primary goal
To deliver top quartile total shareholder return (TSR)
versus our peers, consistently over time.
Our beliefs
Our operating philosophy is ‘managing for value’.
The strategies we follow and the actions we take
are aligned to value creation for all stakeholders.