ABSA Group

Incorporated in 1986, Amalgamated Banks of South Africa Ltd was formed by the merger of UBS Holdings, the Allied and Volkskas Groups, and certain interests of the Sage Group. In 1992 Absa acquired the entire shareholding of the Bankorp Group (which included TrustBank, Senbank and Bankfin). In 1997 the name of the holding company was changed to Absa Group Ltd, consisting of three main operating divisions. In 1998 the United, Volkskas, Allied and TrustBank brands were consolidated into a single brand, and Absa adopted a new corporate identity. In 2005 Barclays acquired a majority stake in ABSA, and Barclays' existing subsidiary in South Africa and Barclays Capital's business were subsequently operated under the ABSA brand, now subsumed within Barclays Africa.

In 2016, Barclays announced that it would be reducing its holdings in Barclays Africa. The following year, Barclays’ shareholding was reduced to 16.4% and the business in South Africa was rebranded as Absa Group Ltd. The Barclays brand continued to be used in other African countries until 2020, when they were also rebranded as Absa.

The archives of ABSA group are maintained locally, though Group Archives does hold some publicity material received subsequent to it becoming part of Barclays.