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  • Glossary

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    Glossary

    A

    Absa

    The South African segment of Barclays PLC, comprising Absa Group Limited, but excluding Absa Capital, Absa Card and Absa Wealth which are reported within Barclays Capital, Barclaycard, and Barclays Wealth respectively.

    Absa Capital

    The portion of Absa's results that is reported by Barclays within the Barclays Capital business.

    Absa Card

    The portion of Absa's results that arises from the Absa credit card business and is reported within Barclaycard.

    Absa Group Limited

    Refers to the consolidated results of the South African group which is listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange in which Barclays owns a controlling stake.

    ABS CDO Super Senior

    The super senior tranches of debt linked to collateralised debt obligations of asset backed securities. Payment of super senior tranches takes priority over other obligations. See Risk Management section - Barclays Capital Credit Market Exposures.

    Adjusted Gross Leverage

    The multiple of adjusted total tangible assets over total qualifying Tier 1 capital. Adjusted total tangible assets are total assets less derivative counterparty netting, assets under management on the balance sheet, settlement balances and cash collateral on derivative liabilities, goodwill and intangible assets. See 'Tier 1 Capital'.

    Adjusted profit before tax

    Profit before tax excluding the gain on own credit of £391m (2009:£1,820m charge), gains on acquisitions and disposals of £210m (2009:£214m) and gains on debt buy-backs and extinguishments of £nil (2009: £1,429m).

    Africa

    The geographic segment comprising countries where Barclays operates within Africa and the Indian Ocean.

    Alt-A

    Loans regarded as lower risk than sub-prime, but with higher risk characteristics than lending under normal criteria. See Risk Management section - Barclays Capital Credit Market Exposures.

    Americas

    The geographic segment comprising the USA, Canada and countries where Barclays operates within Latin America.

    Annual Earnings at Risk (AEaR)

    The sensitivity of annual earnings to shocks in market rates, at approximately 99th percentile for change over one year. For interest rates this equates to a 2% parallel shift in rates. For equity indices, it equates to a 25% change from one-year end to the next, or 15% from one-year end to the next year's average.

    Arrears

    Customers are said to be in arrears when they are behind in fulfilling their obligations with the result that an outstanding loan is unpaid or overdue. Such a customer is also said to be in a state of delinquency. When a customer is in arrears, his entire outstanding balance is said to be delinquent, meaning that delinquent balances are the total outstanding loans on which payments are overdue.

    Asia

    The geographic segment comprising countries where Barclays operates within Asia (including Singapore, Japan, China and India), Australasia and the Middle East.

    Asset backed products

    As used in Note 41 'Fair value of financial instruments', asset backed products are debt and derivative products that are linked to the cash flow of a referenced asset. This category includes asset backed loans; collateralised debt obligations (CDOs); collateralised loan obligations (CLOs); asset backed credit derivatives (ABS CDS); asset backed and mortgage backed securities.

    Asset Backed Securities (ABS)

    Securities that represent an interest in an underlying pool of referenced assets. The referenced pool can comprise any assets which attract a set of associated cash flows but are commonly pools of residential or commercial mortgages and, in the case of Collateralised Debt Obligations (CDOs), the referenced pool may be ABS or other classes of assets. See Risk Management section - Credit Market Exposures.

    Assets margin

    Interest earned on customer assets relative to the average internal funding rate, divided by average customer assets, expressed as an annualised percentage.

    Average customer balances

    Balances in the average balance sheet which are based on daily averages for most UK banking operations and monthly averages outside the UK.

    Average Daily Value at Risk

    The average Daily Value at Risk for a specified period of time.

    Average LTV on new mortgages

    The ratio of all new mortgage balances disbursed in the period to the appraised property value of those mortgages, i.e. total amount disbursed year-to-date divided by total amount of appraised property value.

    Average net income per employee

    Total operating income compared to the average number of employees for the reporting period.

    B

    Bank levy

    The levy that will apply to certain UK banks, building societies and the UK operations of foreign banks from 1st January 2011. The levy is payable based on a percentage of the chargeable equity and liabilities of the bank as at the balance sheet date.

    Barclays Business

    The business unit within UK Retail Banking providing banking services to small and medium enterprises.

    Barclays Corporate

    A business unit that provides global banking services across 10 countries grouped into three regions: UK & Ireland, Continental Europe (Spain, Italy, Portugal and France) and New Markets (India, Pakistan, Russia and the UAE).

    Backstop facility

    A standby facility, that is a liquidity arrangement whereby another party agrees to make a payment should the primary party not do so.

    Basel III leverage ratio

    The ratio of Tier 1 capital to certain on and off balance sheet exposures, calculated in accordance with the methodology set out in the Basel III guidelines published in December 2010.

    Basis point

    One hundredth of a per cent (0.01%), so 100 basis points is 1%. Used in quoting movements in interest rates or yields on securities.

    BCBS

    Basel Committee of Banking Supervisors ('BCBS', or 'The Basel Committee'), a forum for regular cooperation on banking supervisory matters which develops global supervisory standards for the banking industry. Its members are officials from central banks or prudential supervisors from 27 countries and territories.

    C

    Capital ratios

    Key financial ratios measuring the Group's capital adequacy or financial strength. These include the Core Tier 1 ratio, Tier 1 ratio and Risk asset ratio.

    Collateralised Debt Obligations (CDOs)

    Securities issued by a third party which reference Asset Backed Securities (ABSs) (defined above) and/or certain other related assets purchased by the issuer. CDOs may feature exposure to sub-prime mortgage assets through the underlying assets. CDO2 securities represent investments in CDOs that have been securitised by a third party. See Risk Management section – Barclays Capital Credit Market Exposures.

    Collateralised Loan Obligation (CLO)

    A security backed by the repayments from a pool of commercial loans. The payments may be made to different classes of owners (in tranches). See Risk Management section – Barclays Capital Credit Market Exposures.

    Collateralised Synthetic Obligation (CSO)

    A form of synthetic collateralised debt obligation (CDO) that does not hold assets like bonds or loans but invests in credit default swaps (CDSs) or other non-cash assets to gain exposure to a portfolio of fixed income assets.

    Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities (CMBS)

    Securities that represent interests in a pool of commercial mortgages. Investors in these securities have the right to cash received from future mortgage payments (interest and/or principal). See Risk Management section - Barclays Capital Credit Market Exposures.

    Commercial Real Estate

    Includes office buildings, industrial property, medical centres, hotels, malls, retail stores, shopping centres, farm land, multifamily housing buildings, warehouses, garages, and industrial properties. Commercial real estate loans are those backed by a package of commercial real estate assets. See Risk Management section – Barclays Capital Credit Market Exposures.

    Commercial Paper

    An unsecured promissory note issued to finance short‑term credit needs. It specifies the face amount paid to investors on the maturity date.

    Commodity products

    As used in Note 41 'Fair value of financial instruments', these products are exchange traded and OTC derivatives based on a commodity underlying (e.g. metals, precious metals, oil and oil related, power and natural gas).

    Compensation:income ratio

    Staff compensation based costs compared to total income.

    Conduits

    A financial vehicle that holds asset-backed debt such as mortgages, vehicle loans, and credit card receivables, all financed with short-term loans (generally commercial paper) that use the asset-backed debt as collateral. The profitability of a conduit depends on the ability to roll over maturing short-term debt at a cost that is lower than the returns earned from asset-backed securities held in the portfolio. See Risk Management section - Barclays Capital Credit Market Exposures.

    Continental Europe

    See Barclays Corporate.

    Core Tier 1 capital

    Called-up share capital and eligible reserves plus equity non-controlling interests, less intangible assets and deductions relating to the excess of expected loss over regulatory impairment allowance and securitisation positions, as specified by the FSA.

    Core Tier 1 capital ratio

    Core Tier 1 capital as a percentage of risk weighted assets.

    Corporate income tax paid

    Tax paid during the year on taxable profits, including withholding tax deducted from income.

    Cost:income ratio

    Operating expenses compared to total income net of insurance claims.

    Cost:net income ratio

    Operating expenses compared to total income net of insurance claims less impairment charges and other credit provisions.

    Cost of Equity

    The rate of return targeted by the equity holders of the company.

    Coverage ratio (CRL)

    Impairment allowances as a percentage of CRL balances.

    Covered bonds

    Debt securities backed by a portfolio of mortgages that is segregated from the issuer's other assets solely for the benefit of the holders of the covered bonds.

    Credit Default Swaps (CDS)

    A credit derivative is an arrangement whereby the credit risk of an asset (the reference asset) is transferred from the buyer to the seller of protection. A credit default swap is a contract where the protection seller receives premium or interest-related payments in return for contracting to make payments to the protection buyer in the event of a defined credit event. Credit events normally include bankruptcy, payment default on a reference asset or assets, or downgrades by a rating agency.

    Credit Derivative Product Company (CDPC)

    A company that sells protection on credit derivatives. CDPCs are similar to monoline insurers. However, unlike monoline insurers, they are not regulated as insurers. See Risk Management section - Barclays Capital Credit Market Exposures.

    Credit market exposures

    Relates to commercial real estate and leveraged finance businesses that have been significantly impacted by the deterioration in the global credit markets. The exposures include positions subject to fair value movements in the Income Statement, positions that are classified as loans and advances and available for sale.

    Credit Risk Loans (CRLs)

    A loan becomes a credit risk loan when evidence of deterioration has been observed, for example a missed payment or other breach of covenant. A loan may be reported in one of three categories: impaired loans, accruing past due 90 days or more or impaired and restructured loans. These may include loans which, while impaired, are still performing but have associated individual impairment allowances raised against them.

    Credit spread

    The yield spread between securities with the same coupon rate and maturity structure but with different associated credit risks, with the yield spread rising as the credit rating worsens. It is the premium over the benchmark or risk-free rate required by the market to accept a lower credit quality.

    Credit Valuation Adjustment (CVA)

    The difference between the risk-free value of a portfolio of trades and the market value which takes into account the counterparty’s risk of default. The CVA therefore represents an estimate of the adjustment to fair value that a market participant would make to incorporate the credit risk of the counterparty due to any failure to perform on contractual agreements.

    Customer deposits

    Money deposited by all individuals and companies that are not credit institutions. Such funds are recorded as liabilities in the Group's balance sheet under Customer Accounts.

    D

    Daily Value at Risk (DVaR)

    An estimate of the potential loss which might arise from market movements under normal market conditions, if the current positions were to be held unchanged for one business day, measured to a confidence level. (Also see VaR).

    Debit Valuation Adjustment (DVA)

    TThe opposite of credit valuation adjustment (CVA). It is the difference between the risk-free value of a portfolio of trades and the market value which takes into account Barclays Group’s risk of default. The DVA, therefore, represents an estimate of the adjustment to fair value that a market participant would make to incorporate the credit risk of Barclays Group due to any failure to perform on contractual agreements. The DVA decreases the value of a liability to take into account a reduction in the remaining balance that would be settled should Barclays Group default or not perform in terms of contractual agreements.

    Debt restructuring

    This is when the terms and provisions of outstanding debt agreements are changed. This is often done in order to improve cash flow and the ability of the borrower to repay the debt. It can involve altering the repayment schedule as well as reducing the debt or interest charged on the loan.

    Debt securities in issue

    Transferable certificates of indebtedness of the Group to the bearer of the certificates. These are liabilities of the Group and include certificates of deposits.

    Delinquency

    See 'Arrears'.

    Dividend payout ratio

    Yearly dividends paid per share as a fraction of earnings per share.

    E

    Economic capital

    An internal measure of the minimum equity and preference capital required for the Group to maintain its credit rating based upon its risk profile.

    Economic profit

    Profit attributable to equity holders of the Parent excluding amortisation of acquired intangible assets less a capital charge representing adjusted average shareholders' equity excluding noncontrolling interests multiplied by the Group cost of capital.

    Equities and Prime Services

    The Barclays Capital trading businesses encompassing Cash Equities, Equity Derivatives & Equity Financing.

    Equity products

    As used in Note 41 'Fair value of financial instruments’, these products are linked to equity markets. This category includes listed equities, exchange traded derivatives, equity derivatives, preference shares and contract for difference (CFD) products.

    Equity structural hedge

    An interest rate hedge which functions to reduce the impact of the volatility of short-term interest rate movements on equity positions on the balance sheet that do not reprice with market rates.

    Europe region

    The geographic segment comprising countries in which Barclays operates within the EU (excluding UK & Ireland), Northern, Continental and Eastern Europe, including Russia.

    Expected loss

    The Group measure of anticipated loss for exposures captured under an internal ratings based credit risk approach for capital adequacy calculations. It is measured as the Barclays modelled view of anticipated loss based on Probability of Default (PD), Loss Given Default (LGD) and Exposure at Default (EAD), with a one-year time horizon.

    Exposure in the event of default (EAD)

    The estimation of the extent to which Barclays may be exposed to a customer or counterparty in the event of, and at the time of, that counterparty’s default. At default, the customer may not have drawn the loan fully or may already have repaid some of the principal, so that exposure is typically less than the approved loan limit.

    F

    First/Second Lien

    First lien: debt that places its holder first in line to collect compensation from the sale of the underlying collateral in the event of a default on the loan. Second lien: debt that is issued against the same collateral as higher lien debt but that is subordinate to it. In the case of default, compensation for this debt will only be received after the first lien has been repaid and thus represents a riskier investment than the first lien. See Risk Management section - Barclays Capital Credit Market Exposures.

    Fixed charge

    Security taken over a specific asset of a borrower to secure the repayment of a loan. In this arrangement the asset is signed over to the creditor and the borrower would need the lender’s permission to sell it. The lender also registers a charge against the asset which remains in force until the loan is repaid.

    Fixed Income, Currency and Commodities

    The Barclays Capital trading businesses encompassing Rates, Credit, Emerging Markets, Commodities, Foreign Exchange & Fixed Income Financing.

    Forbearance

    Forbearance Programmes that assist customers in financial difficulty through agreements to accept less than contractual amounts due where financial distress would otherwise prevent satisfactory repayment within the original terms and conditions of the contract. These agreements may be initiated by the customer, Barclays or a third party and include approved debt counselling plans, minimum due reductions, interest rate concessions and switches from capital and interest repayments to interest-only payments.

    FSA-eligible pool assets (liquid assets buffer)

    High quality unencumbered assets that meet the FSA's requirements for liquidity. These assets include, for example, high quality government or central bank securities, certain sight deposits with central banks, and securities issued by designated multilateral development banks.

    Full time equivalent

    Full time equivalent employee units are the on-job hours paid for employee services divided by the number of ordinary-time hours normally paid for a full-time staff member when on the job (or contract employee where applicable).

    Funds and fund-linked products

    As used in Note 41 'Fair value of financial instruments', this category includes holdings in mutual funds, hedge funds, fund of funds and fund linked derivatives.

    Funded/unfunded

    Exposures where the notional amount of the transaction is either funded or unfunded. Represents exposures where a commitment to provide future funding has been made and the funds have been released/not released.

    FX products

    As used in Note 41 'Fair value of financial instruments', these products are derivatives linked to the foreign exchange market. This category includes FX spot and forward contracts; FX swaps; FX options.

    G

    Gain on acquisition

    The amount by which the acquirer's interest in the net fair value of the identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities, recognised in a business combination, exceeds the cost of the acquisition.

    Global Retail Banking (GRB)

    UK Retail Banking, Barclaycard, Western Europe Retail Banking and Barclays Africa.

    Gross new UK lending

    New lending advanced to UK customers during the year.

    H

    Home Loans

    Loans to purchase a residential property which is then used as collateral to guarantee repayment of the loan. The borrower gives the lender a lien against the property, and the lender can foreclose on the property if the borrower does not repay the loan per the agreed terms. Also known as a residential mortgage.

    I

    Impaired loans

    Loans are reported as Credit Risk Loans (defined above) and comprise loans where individual identified impairment allowance has been raised and also include loans which are fully collateralised or where indebtedness has already been written down to the expected realisable value. The impaired loan category may include loans, which, while impaired, are still performing.

    Impairment allowances

    Provisions held on the balance sheet as a result of the raising of a charge against profit for the incurred loss inherent in the lending book. An impairment allowance may either be identified or unidentified and individual or collective.

    Income

    Total income net of insurance claims, unless otherwise specified.

    Incremental Default Risk Charge (IDRC)

    The IDRC captures default risk. This means the potential for a direct loss due to an obligor's default as well as the potential for indirect losses that may arise from a default event.

    Individually/Collectively Assessed

    Impairment is measured individually for assets that are individually significant, and collectively where a portfolio comprises homogenous assets and where appropriate statistical techniques are available.

    Individual liquidity guidance (ILG)

    Guidance given to a firm about the amount, quality and funding profile of liquidity resources that the FSA has asked the firm to maintain.

    Interchange income

    A fee that is paid to a credit card issuer in the clearing and settlement of a sales or cash advance transaction.

    Interest rate products

    As used in Note 41 'Fair value of financial instruments', these are products with a payoff linked to interest rates. This category includes interest rate swaps, swaptions, caps and exotic interest rate derivatives.

    Internal funds pricing

    The Group's mechanism for pricing intra-group funding and liquidity.

    Investment banking

    Fee generating businesses encompassing Advisory, Debt and Equity Origination within Barclays Capital.

    Investment grade

    A debt security, treasury bill or similar instrument with a credit rating measured by external agencies of AAA to BBB.

    L

    Leveraged Finance

    Loans or other financing agreements provided to companies whose overall level of debt is high in relation to their cash flow (net debt: EBITDA) typically arising from private equity sponsor led acquisitions of the businesses concerned.

    Liabilities margin

    Interest paid on customer liabilities relative to the average internal funding rate, divided by average customer liabilities. Expressed as an annualised percentage.

    Liquidity and Credit enhancements

    Credit enhancement facilities are used to enhance the creditworthiness of financial obligations and cover losses due to asset default. Two general types of credit enhancement are third-party loan guarantees and self-enhancement through over collateralization. Liquidity enhancement makes funds available if required, for other reasons than asset default, e.g. to ensure timely repayment of maturing commercial paper.

    Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR)

    The ratio of the stock of high quality liquid assets to expected net cash outflows over the following 30 days. Highquality liquid assets should be unencumbered, liquid in markets during a time of stress and, ideally, be central bank eligible. These include, for example, cash and claims on central governments and central banks. The Basel III guidelines require this ratio to be at least 100% and it is expected to apply from 2015.

    Liquidity pool/buffer

    The Group liquidity pool comprises cash at central banks and highly liquid collateral specifically held by the Group as contingency to enable the bank to meet cash outflows in the event of stressed market conditions.

    Loan loss rate

    Defined as total credit impairment charge (excluding available for sale assets and reverse repurchase agreements) divided by gross loans and advances to customers and banks (at amortised cost).

    Loan to deposit ratio

    The ratio of loans and advances to customer accounts. This excludes certain liabilities issued by the retail business that have characteristics comparable to retail deposits (for example, structured CDs and retail bonds), which are included within debt securities in issue.

    Loan to deposit and long term funding ratio

    The ratio of wholesale and retail loans and advances to customers net of impairment allowance, divided by the total of customer accounts, long term debt (due after 1 year) and equity.

    Loan funding ratio

    The ratio of wholesale and retail loans and advances to customers net of impairment allowance, divided by the total of customer accounts, long-term debt (>1 yr) and equity.

    Loan to value ratio (LTV)

    Expresses the amount borrowed against an asset (e.g. a mortgage) as a percentage of the appraised value. The ratio is used in assessing the appropriate level of risk for the loan and is generally reported as an average for new mortgages or an entire portfolio.

    Loan to value of new mortgage lending

    See Average LTV in new mortgage.

    Loans past due

    Loans are past due when a counterparty has failed to make a payment when contractually due.

    Loss Given Default (LGD)

    The fraction of Exposure at Default (EAD) (defined above) that will not be recovered following default. LGD comprises the actual loss (the part that is not expected to be recovered), together with the economic costs associated with the recovery process.

    M

    Medium Term Notes (MTNs)

    Corporate notes continuously offered by a company to investors through a dealer. Investors can choose from differing maturities, ranging from nine months to 30 years.

    Monoline

    An entity which specialises in providing credit protection to the holders of debt instruments in the event of default by a debt security counterparty. This protection is typically held in the form of derivatives such as credit default swaps (CDS) referencing the underlying exposures held. See Risk Management section - Barclays Capital Credit Market Exposures.

    Monoline Wrapped

    Debt instruments for which credit enhancement or protection by a monoline insurer has been obtained. The wrap is credit protection against the notional and principal interest cash flows due to the holders of debt instruments in the event of default in payment of these by the underlying counterparty. Therefore, if a security is monoline wrapped its payments of principal and interest are guaranteed by a monoline insurer. See Risk Management section - Barclays Capital Credit Market Exposures.

    Mortgage Backed Securities (MBS)

    Securities that represent interests in a group of mortgages. Investors in these securities have the right to cash received from future mortgage payments (interest and/or principal). See Risk Management section - Credit Market Exposures.

    Mortgage vintage

    The year the mortgage was issued.

    Mortgage related securities

    Securities which are referenced to underlying mortgages. See RMBS, CMBS and MBS.

    N

    Net Asset Value per Ordinary Share

    Computed by dividing shareholders' equity excluding non-controlling interests by the number of issued ordinary shares.

    Net Interest Income

    The difference between interest received on assets and interest paid on liabilities including the interest income on Group equity.

    Net Interest Margin

    The margin is expressed as annualised net interest income for Global Retail Banking, Absa, Barclays Corporate and Barclays Wealth divided by the sum of the average assets and average liabilities for those businesses.

    Net Investment Income

    Includes the net result of revaluing financial instruments designated at fair value, dividend income and the net result on disposal of available for sale assets.

    Net Stable Funding Ratio (NSFR)

    The ratio of available stable funding to required stable funding over a one year time horizon, assuming a stressed scenario. The ratio is required to be over 100% with effect from 2015. Available stable funding would include such items as equity capital, preferred stock with a maturity of over 1 year, or liabilities with a maturity of over 1 year. The required amount of stable funding is calculated as the sum of the value of the assets held and funded by the institution, multiplied by a specific required stable funding (RSF) factor assigned to each particular asset type, added to the amount of potential liquidity exposure multiplied by its associated RSF factor.

    Net Trading Income

    Income arising from trading positions which are held at fair value, including market-making and customer business. The resulting gains and losses are included in the income statement together with interest, dividends and funding costs relating to trading activities.

    New Markets

    See Barclays Corporate

    Non-asset backed debt instruments

    As used in Note 41 'Fair value of financial instruments', these products are debt instruments. This category includes government bonds; US agency bonds; corporate bonds; commercial paper; certificates of deposit; convertible bonds; corporate bonds and issued notes.

    Non-investment grade

    A debt security, treasury bill or similar instrument with a credit rating measured by external agencies of BB+ or below.

    Non-performing loans

    A loan that is in default or close to being in default because interest or capital payments are not made on time.

    O

    Other credit products

    As used in Note 41 'Fair value of financial instruments', these are products linked to the credit risk of a referenced entity, index or a basket. This category includes collateralised synthetic obligations (non-asset backed CDOs) and OTC derivatives. The OTC derivatives are namely, CDS single name; CDS index; CDS index tranche and Nth to default basket swaps (in which the payout is linked to one in a series of defaults, such as first-, second- or third‑to-default, with the contract terminating at that point).

    Over the counter derivatives (OTC)

    Contracts that are traded (and privately negotiated) directly between two parties, without going through an exchange or other intermediary. They offer flexibility because, unlike standardised exchange-traded products, they can be tailored to fit specific needs.

    Own Credit

    The effect of the Group’s own credit standing on the fair value of financial liabilities.

    P

    Performance costs

    The accounting charge recognised in the period for performance awards. For deferred incentives and long-term incentives the accounting charge is spread over the relevant periods in which the employee delivers service.

    Performance awards

    Annual performance incentives (including deferred incentives), long-term incentive awards and commission payments. A detailed description of the Group's incentive plans is provided in the Directors’ Remuneration Report.

    PCRL Coverage ratio

    Impairment allowances as a percentage of total CRL (credit risk loan) & PPL (potential problem loan) balances. See CRL and PPL.

    Portfolio MTM LTV

    The ratio of the total outstanding balance to the current value of the security, which is estimated using one or more external house price indices, i.e. total outstanding balance divided by total current property value (mark to market).

    Potential Credit Risk Loans (PCRLs)

    Comprise the outstanding balances to Potential Problem Loans and the three categories of Credit Risk Loans (defined above).

    Potential Problem Loans (PPLs)

    Loans where serious doubt exists as to the ability of the borrowers to continue to comply with repayment terms in the near future.

    Prime

    Loans of a higher credit quality and would be expected to satisfy the criteria for inclusion into Government programmes

    Principal Investments

    Private Equity Investments.

    Prior year compensation deferrals

    The accounting charge recognised for service delivered in the current period in respect of deferred incentives and long-term incentives previously awarded.

    Private equity investments

    As used in Note 41 'Fair value of financial instruments', private equity is equity securities in operating companies not quoted on a public exchange. Investment in private equity often involves the investment of capital in private companies or the acquisition of a public company that results in the delisting of public equity. Capital for private equity investment is raised by retail or institutional investors and used to fund investment strategies such as leveraged buyouts, venture capital, growth capital, distressed investments and mezzanine capital.

    Private-label securitisation

    Residential mortgage-backed security transactions sold or guaranteed by entities that are not sponsored or owned by the government.

    Probability of default (PD)

    The likelihood that a loan will not be repaid and will fall into default. PD may be calculated for each client who has a loan (normally applicable to wholesale customers/clients) or for a portfolio of clients with similar attributes (normally applicable to retail customers). To calculate PD, Barclays assesses the credit quality of borrowers and other counterparties and assigns them an internal risk rating. Multiple rating methodologies may be used to inform the rating decision on individual large credits, such as internal and external models, rating agency ratings, and for wholesale assets market information such as credit spreads. For smaller credits, a single source may suffice such as the result from an internal rating model.

    Product structural hedge

    An interest rate hedge which functions to reduce the impact of the volatility of short-term interest rate movements on-balance sheet positions that can be matched to a specific product, e.g. customer balances that do not reprice with market rates.

    Proprietary trading

    When a bank, brokerage or other financial institution trades on its own account, at its own risk, rather than on behalf of customers, so as to make a profit for itself.

    R

    Renegotiated loans

    Loans and advances are generally renegotiated either as part of an ongoing customer relationship or in response to an adverse change in the circumstances of the borrower. In the latter case renegotiation can result in an extension of the due date of payment or repayment plans under which the Group offers a concessionary rate of interest to genuinely distressed borrowers. This will result in the asset continuing to be overdue and will be individually impaired where the renegotiated payments of interest and principal will not recover the original carrying amount of the asset. In other cases, renegotiation will lead to a new agreement, which is treated as a new loan.

    Repo/Reverse repo

    A repurchase agreement that allows a borrower to use a financial security as collateral for a cash loan at a fixed rate of interest. In a repo, the borrower agrees to sell a security to the lender subject to a commitment to repurchase the asset at a specified price on a given date. For the party selling the security (and agreeing to repurchase it in the future) it is a repo; for the party on the other side of the transaction (buying the security and agreeing to sell in the future) it is a reverse repurchase agreement or reverse repo.

    Residential Mortgage Backed Securities (RMBS)

    Securities that represent interests in a group of residential mortgages. Investors in these securities have the right to cash received from future mortgage payments (interest and/or principal). See Risk Management section - Barclays Capital Credit Market Exposures.

    Restructured loans

    Impaired and restructured loans' comprises loans where, for economic or legal reasons related to the debtor's financial difficulties, a concession has been granted to the debtor that would not otherwise be considered. Where the concession results in the expected cash flows discounted at the original effective interest rate being less than the loan's carrying value, an impairment allowance will be raised.

    Retail Loans

    Loans to individuals rather than institutions as well as loans to certain smaller business customers. This includes both secured and unsecured loans such as mortgages and credit card balances.

    Return on average shareholders' equity

    Calculated as profit for the year attributable to equity holders of the Parent divided by the average shareholders’ equity for the year, excluding non-controlling interests.

    Return on average risk weighted assets

    Calculated as profit after tax for the year divided by average risk weighted assets for the year.

    Risk asset ratio

    A measure of the risk attached to the assets of a business using definitions of capital and risk weightings established in accordance with the Basel Capital Accord as implemented by the FSA.

    Risk adjusted net interest margin

    The margin is calculated as the result of the annualised net interest margin for Global Retail Bank, Barclays Corporate and Barclays Wealth less the income statement impairment charge on loans and advances, divided by the sum of the average assets and average liabilities for those businesses.

    Risk weighted assets

    A measure of a bank's assets adjusted for their associated risks. Risk weightings are established in accordance with the Basel Capital Accord as implemented by the FSA.

    S

    Securitisation

    A process by which debt instruments are aggregated into a pool, which is used to back new securities. A company may sell assets to an SPV (special purpose vehicle) which then issues securities backed by the assets based on their value. This allows the credit quality of the assets to be separated from the credit rating of the original company and transfers risk to external investors.

    SIV Lites

    Vehicles which invest in diversified portfolios of interest earning assets to take advantage of the spread differentials between the assets in the SIV and the funding cost. Unlike SIVs they are not perpetual, making them look more like CDOs, which have fixed maturity dates. See Risk Management section - Barclays Capital Credit Market Exposures.

    Special Purpose Entities (SPEs)/Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs)

    Entities created to accomplish a narrow and well defined objective. There are often specific restrictions or limits around their ongoing activities. Transactions with SPEs/SPVs take a number of forms, including:

    • The provision of financing to fund asset purchases, or commitments to provide finance for future purchases.
    • Derivative transactions to provide investors in the SPE/SPV with a specified exposure.
    • The provision of liquidity or backstop facilities which may be drawn upon if the SPE/SPV experiences future funding difficulties.
    • Direct investment in the notes issued by SPEs/SPVs.
    Spot Daily Value at Risk

    The Daily Value at Risk (defined above) recorded for a specified day.

    Structural hedge

    An interest rate hedge which functions to reduce the impact of the volatility of short-term interest rate movements on positions that exist within the balance sheet that carry interest rates that do not reprice with market rates. See also equity structural hedge and product structural hedge.

    Structured Investment Vehicles (SIVs)

    Entities which invest in diversified portfolios of interest earning assets to take advantage of the spread differentials between the assets in the SIV and the funding cost. See Risk Management section – Barclays Capital Credit Market Exposures.

    Structural liquidity

    The liquidity available from current positions – principally unpledged marketable assets and holdings of term liabilities with long remaining lives.

    Structured finance/notes

    A structured note is an investment tool which pays a return linked to the value or level of a specified asset or index and sometimes offers capital protection if the value declines. Structured notes can be linked to equities, interest rates, funds, commodities and foreign currency.

    Subordination

    The state of prioritising repayments of principal and interest on debt to a creditor lower than repayments to other creditors by the same debtor. That is, claims of a security are settled by a debtor to a creditor only after the claims of securities held by other creditors of the same debtor have been settled.

    Subordinated liabilities

    Liabilities which, in the event of insolvency or liquidation of the issuer, are subordinated to the claims of depositors and other creditors of the issuer.

    Sub-Prime

    Defined as loans to borrowers typically having weakened credit histories that include payment delinquencies and potentially more severe problems such as court judgements and bankruptcies. They may also display reduced repayment capacity as measured by credit scores, high debt-to-income ratios, or other criteria indicating heightened risk of default. See Risk Management section - Credit Market Exposures.

    T

    Tax paid

    All amounts paid to taxation authorities during the year in respect of taxes borne and collected by the Group. This includes corporate income tax paid, taxes paid on behalf of employees, irrecoverable VAT and other taxes.

    Tier 1 capital

    A measure of a bank's financial strength defined by the FSA. It captures Core Tier 1 capital plus other Tier 1 securities in issue, but is subject to a deduction in respect of material holdings in financial companies.

    Tier 1 capital ratio

    The ratio expresses Tier 1 capital as a percentage of risk weighted assets.

    Tier 2 capital

    A capital measure defined by the FSA. Broadly, it includes qualifying subordinated debt and other Tier 2 securities in issue, eligible collective impairment allowances, unrealised available for sale equity gains and revaluation reserves. It is subject to deductions relating to the excess of expected loss over regulatory impairment allowance, securitisation positions and material holdings in financial companies.

    Top-line income

    Income before own credit gains/losses and credit market write-downs.

    Total shareholder return (TSR)

    Defined as the value created for shareholders through share price appreciation, plus reinvested dividend payments.

    U

    UK & Ireland

    See Barclays Corporate.

    US Credit Card Act

    Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009 (CARD Act). Legislation signed into US law on 22nd May 2009 to provide changes to credit card industry practices in the US including significantly restricting credit card issuers’ ability to change interest rates and assess fees to reflect individual consumer risk, change the way payments are applied and requiring changes to consumer credit card disclosures. The majority of the provisions became effective in February 2010.

    V

    Value at Risk (VaR)

    An estimate of the potential loss which might arise from market movements under normal market conditions, if the current positions were to be held unchanged for one business day, measured to a confidence level. (Also see DVaR).

    W

    Whole loans

    A mortgage loan sold in its entirety when the buyer assumes the entire loan along with its rights and responsibilities. A whole loan is differentiated from investments in which the buyer becomes part owner of a pool of mortgages. See Risk Management section - Credit Market Exposures.

    Wholesale Loans

    Lending to larger businesses, financial institutions and sovereign entities.

    Write down

    After an advance has been identified as impaired and is subject to an impairment allowance, the stage may be reached whereby it is concluded that there is no realistic prospect of further recovery. Write downs will occur when, and to the extent that, the whole or part of a debt is considered irrecoverable.

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Investing in our communities

Children playing Rugby

 

Barclays Spaces for Sports is a global programme that recognises the power of sport to deliver social change.

 

Since 2004, Barclays has committed £37m towards bringing sustainable sports sites and projects to disadvantaged communities. After launching 200 community sports sites in the UK, the programme was extended globally in 2008.

  • £55.3m invested in our communities in 2010
  • 62,000 colleagues engaged in our community programme

In 2010, we offered young people excluded from mainstream education across England the chance to join FairPlay, a rugby-based education programme in partnership with the children’s charity Wooden Spoon, the Rugby Football Union and the Education Enterprise Trust. The initiative provides training schemes for more than 2,400 young people in pupil referral units. The scheme also includes classroom sessions where young people are taught how to manage their finances through the Barclays Money Skills programme.