According to the bank, which has been embroiled in the Libor rate rigging scandal, the US Department of Justice and US Securities and Exchange Commission are investigating whether its relationships with third parties who help it win or retain business are compliant with the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
Barclays said: “Barclays has been informed by the US Department of Justice (DOJ) and US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that they are undertaking an investigation into whether the Group’s relationships with third parties who assist Barclays to win or retain business are compliant with the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
“Barclays is investigating and fully co-operating with the DOJ and SEC.”
It added a second investigation – carried out by the the United States Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Office of Enforcement (FERC Staff) – has been looking into Barclays power trading in the western US with respect to the period from late 2006 through 2008.
It said: “On 25 October 2012, the FERC notified Barclays that it has authorised the issuance of a public Order to Show Cause and Notice of Proposed Penalties against Barclays in relation to this matter. The Order and Notice could be issued as early as today. Barclays intends to vigorously defend this matter.”
Meanwhile, Barclays also revealed it has provided £32.4bn of gross new lending to UK households and businesses during 2012, down from the £32.8bn it provided in 2011.
Loans and advances to customers increased 2% to £126.0bn in the third quarter reflecting growth in mortgage balances, while customer deposits grew to £114.5bn from £113.9bn, over the quarter.
Credit impairment charges decreased 48% to £198m, principally in personal unsecured lending. Arrears of 90 days or more on UK personal loans improved by 43bps to 1.35%, said the Group.
Earlier this month, Barclays bought ING Direct UK and said it would merge the mortgages and savings business into its retail banking operations. Barclays is set to acquire a deposit book with balances of £10.9bn and a mortgage book with outstanding balances of £5.6bn, as at 31 August 2012, as a result of the merger.
The mortgage book has a Loan to Value ratio of 50% and is being acquired at an approximate 3% discount. Barclays said the deposit book is being acquired at par and is expected to occur early in Q2 2013, subject to regulatory approval.
Barclays reported a pre-tax loss of £47m for the three months to September 2012. This compares to a £2.4bn profit for the same quarter in 2011. Barclays recently admitted it had set aside a further £700m for PPI claims.
