Barclays profits rise 19%: Positive Money response

Hannah Dewhirst, Head of Campaigns at Positive Money, said: 

“Unlike HSBC, Barclays appears to have cashed in on volatility in financial markets, rather than taken a hit from it.

“But the question we should all ask, now that banks are lobbying the Chancellor to let them gamble more of our money, is do we want our government to encourage even greater risk-taking from bankers?

“Financial stability is vital at this turbulent time for economies across the world. We need the Chancellor to stand up to the powerful banking lobby and reject such proposals which put us in danger of another financial crisis.”

Notes:

• Barclays’ full announcement can be found here: https://home.barclays/investor-relations/reports-and-events/financial-results/ 

• Last week, bank chiefs wrote to the Chancellor asking to remove post-crash ‘ring-fencing’ regulation that keeps customers’ deposits separate from banks’ riskier investments: https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/top-british-bank-chiefs-urge-chancellor-scrap-ring-fencing-letter-sky-news-2025-04-26/ 

About Positive Money:

Positive Money is an international research and campaign organisation working to redesign our economic system for social justice and a liveable planet. Set up in the aftermath of the financial crisis, Positive Money is a not-for-profit company funded by charitable trusts and foundations, as well as small donations from its network of supporters. Find out more: www.positivemoney.org