Barclays Bank PLCBCSCOMMENTFeb 11, 2016Stock price when the opinion was issued
As of Jun 23, 2026. Market Open.
Best European bank? European banking is difficult, given negative interest rates. Best in class is Barclay's for its investing banking business or Lloyd's Banking. There should be more consolidation here, but it's difficult in Europe (look at ATD'B trying to buy Carrefour this month).
Likes it. They bought Lehman, which had investment banking but was really a bond house, so Dodd-Frank caused a lot of capital issues and restrictions. New management is doing a good job by sticking with investment banking and have a great retail franchise in the UK, and they exited businesses around the world that didn't work out. They're going all the right things, though Brexit creates uncertainty. Great credit card business. It will do well, but have to get past Brexit early next year.
Primarily a UK retail bank with credit card businesses and wealth management and a global investment bank. Feels the global investment bank, especially on the fixed income side, which was their primary business before they bought Lehman Brothers, is having a really difficult time and they’ve had to cut back on that. It has taken away from the earnings on the retail side. The bank is restructuring and he felt the banking industry was getting a little bit more difficult, so he sold his position. Trading well below BV.