| Barclays PLC is a global financial services provider engaged in retail and commercial banking, credit cards, investment banking, wealth management and investment management services. The Company, along with its subsidiaries, operates through six business segments: UK Banking, Barclaycard, International Retail and Commercial Banking, Barclays Capital, Barclays Global Investors and Barclays Wealth. In July 2008, Barclays PLC completed the acquisition of Expobank, a Russian retail and commercial bank. In August 2008, Barclays PLC started operations in Pakistan. On September 22, 2008, Barclays PLC completed the acquisition of Lehman Brothers North American investment banking and capital markets operations and supporting infrastructure. In October 2008, Swiss Re completed the acquisition of Barclays PLC's Barclays Life Assurance Company Ltd. In November 2008, Barclays PLC announced that it has completed the purchase of the Italian residential mortgage business of Macquarie Group Limited. |