Bloomberg Talks Barclays CEO C.S. Venkatakrishnan Talks Middle East Expansion
Oct 27, 2025
C.S. Venkatakrishnan, CEO of Barclays, shares insights on the bank's ambitious expansion plans in the Middle East, including a new regional headquarters in Saudi Arabia. He highlights the growth of investment banking activities, driven by rising regional wealth and innovative bond opportunities. Venkatakrishnan also discusses the resilience of the U.S. economy and the transformative impact of AI on banking, emphasizing a careful approach to its integration for maximizing returns.
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Barclays Returns With Regional HQ
- Barclays has operated in the Middle East for about 130 years and is establishing a regional headquarters in Saudi Arabia.
- The bank is obtaining investment banking licenses and expects the new King Abdullah Financial District office to open in the new year.
Focus On Global Investment Banking
- Venkat says Barclays will lead with its global investment bank and not compete in retail banking in Saudi Arabia.
- The bank aims to connect Saudi capital with global markets and provide foreign lending and liquidity.
Middle East Is A Two-Way Capital Market
- The Middle East is now a two-way investment flow region with capital both leaving and returning to local markets.
- Barclays sees this shift as a key opportunity to support IPOs, equity-linked deals, and M&A.