Barclays 'to boost high street presence'

Banking giant Barclays is set to increase its number of high street branches in prime locations in the UK, a report said today.

As part of a shake-up of its UK retail banking arm, Barclays is also considering reducing the number of UK processing centres and increasing the number of offshore jobs.

Deanna Oppenheimer, the American brought in from Washington Mutual to turn round the retail bank, will announce the measures later this month, according to the Financial Times.

The group is also considering locating its Woolwich mortgage operations within Barclays branches. Analysts have questioned why Barclays has Woolwich and Barclays branches close together in many towns.

Barclays is said to be looking at a sale and leaseback of some freehold property, including branches.