100 years ago, Barclays was the first foreign private bank to open its doors in Monaco, and since its establishment in the Principality, Barclays has put its international network and experience in private banking and asset management at the service of family offices and high net worth clients.
Barclays will celebrate its centenary in Monaco with events that will take place throughout the year 2022.
Barclays Private Bank is celebrating the 100th anniversary of its opening in Monaco, marking a century of providing a wide range of banking, credit and investment services to private clients and family offices in the Principality. Over the decades, Barclays has helped a wide range of clients to protect, grow or pass on their wealth. As the only British bank in Monaco, Barclays' commitment to the Principality is stronger than ever.
Barclays Private Bank was established in Monaco in 1922. It was the first foreign private bank to open its doors in Monaco's Carré d'Or and is now one of the Principality's most respected financial institutions. From Monaco, the private bank puts its "Power of One Barclays" philosophy into practice by connecting local and international private clients and entrepreneurs with a broader offering, including the expertise of Barclays Corporate and Investment Bank, to provide them with optimized, tailor-made investments. Barclays Private Bank can rely on the resources, skills and knowledge of the Barclays Group, whose origins date back to 1690 and whose reputation for financial stability, international experience and innovative services is well established.
A selection of Barclays' historical objects will be on display from January in the bank's Monaco offices. Among them is a gold signet ring dating back to 1570, created by Thomas Gresham, banker to Queen Elizabeth I and founder of Martins Bank, which was later sold to Barclays in 1969. Inside the ring is an engraving of a grasshopper, which corresponds to the Gresham family coat of arms, which also appeared on the sign under which the Martins Bank operated.
A letter from the court of Queen Elizabeth I authorizing Thomas Gresham to pay his debts in Antwerp, a register from the Oxford Old Bank (which became part of Barclays in 1900) showing Oscar Wilde's account, and the first credit card in the United Kingdom will also be on display.
Throughout 2022, Barclays will commemorate its centenary in Monaco with events celebrating both its past and its future on the Rock. These include Monaco Ocean Week, which Barclays Private Bank will support for the second year in a row as part of its partnership with the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation to protect ocean biodiversity and preserve climate stability.
