This is a history of one of the world's most famous financial institutions from its foundation as a private partnership in 1690 to the present. A pioneer in international trade finance and branch banking, the story of Barclays Bank is a microcosm of the successes and failures of corporate strategies in banking. Extensively illustrated and accessibly written, the book will appeal to readers beyond those with an interest in financial history. It makes a major contribution to the economic and social history of modern Britain and the contemporary business world.