Barclays has a new CEO. AND' Anthony Jenkins, officially appointed today to replace Bob Diamond, the former CEO forced to resign after the scandal over the manipulation of the Libor interbank rate. A member of the British Bank's executive committee since 2009, Jenkins previously headed the retail and corporate banking division.
“Barclays – declared the new CEO – is a universal bank, with many activities. We have made serious mistakes in recent years and have clearly failed to meet the expectations of our shareholders. We have an obligation to them – customers, shareholders, colleagues and society – and a unique opportunity to restore Barclays' reputation. The journey will take time, we have a lot to do, and we will start immediately."
Investigations into the Libor scandal have been opened in Europe and the United States and Barclays has already negotiated a £290 million fine. And the appointment of the new CEO came just a few hours after one new investigation ordered by the British office against financial fraud. The Serious Fraud Office has announced a criminal investigation on payments made to Barclays in 2008 by Qatar Holding, part of Qatar's sovereign wealth fund. The investigation adds to the one already launched by the Financial Services Authority, the supervisory body of the sector.
During the crisis, the institute was saved by the intervention of Qatar, which is still the largest shareholder with a 6,65% stake.
