United Arab Emirates

Entered market 

1975

Barclays Bank International branches were originally opened in Adu Dhabi and Sharjah in 1975. 1977 saw two additional branches opened in Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah, and by 1985, there were a total of 90 staff in UAE. In 1997, it was decided to shift attentions away from retail banking, and towards wholesale banking for corporate clients in the region, supported by a specialist Middle East team located in London, and offices in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Barclays Capital offices and corporate branches were later opened in these areas, in 2002 and 2004 respectively. By 2005, Barclays Capital had received a banking licence to operate at the Dubai International Financial Centre. Barclays UAE then moved its Head Office to the Emaar Business Park to house the growing business. A comprehensive mortgage service was launched in 2006, and retail banking in 2007, along with Barclaycard. 2007 also saw Barclays Wealth open a new office in Dubai, as well as the introduction of biometric ATMs. In 2014, it was announced that the retail banking operations were sold to the Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank. All information is correct as of August 2015.

Traded as

Barclays International