Barclays Opens Customer Contact Center in Newark, Delaware

-Will Ensure High Level of Service to Consumer and Small Business Customers-

WILMINGTON, Del., May 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Barclaycard US, the credit card business of Barclays PLC in the United States, hosted a ceremonial opening of its new customer contact center May 20 in the Iron Hill Corporate Center at 700 Prides Crossing in Newark, Del. The operations center became fully operational April 20 and currently houses 200 colleagues in technology, customer care, collections, fraud management and human resources.

The office will eventually hold 500 employees with 300 expected to be working there by the end of this year.

"The new location in Newark complements our U.S. customer contact operations," said Lloyd M. Wirshba, Chief Executive Officer, Barclaycard US. "We're thrilled with the talented individuals we've been able to attract to this new facility. They share the enthusiasm of the rest of the Barclaycard team for providing outstanding customer service and going the extra mile for our cardholders."

The two-hour opening ceremony included an official ribbon-cutting to dedicate the new Barclaycard facility and remarks from executives and community leaders. Tours of the facility and a reception followed.

"My colleagues and I are delighted to celebrate the opening of the Newark site," said Joe Purzycki, Chief Operating Officer, Barclaycard US. "The location is ideal with access to major transportation, great educational institutions, nearby amenities and a state-of-the-art technology platform already in place."

In April, Barclays hosted an information session at the University of Delaware's Clayton Hall for individuals looking to fill customer contact positions at the Newark site. Many of the new hires currently in training were sourced through the information session.

At the ceremony, Mr. Wirshba highlighted the focus by the company on community service. Barclaycard colleagues donate thousands of hours each year to volunteer efforts. Patricia Beebe, President and Chief Executive Officer of Food Bank of Delaware based in Newark, thanked the company for its long-time partnership with the Food Bank at the ceremony. In a special campaign completed May 15, Barclaycard colleagues collected 34,000 pounds of food for the organization.

About Barclaycard US

Headquartered in Wilmington, Del., Barclaycard US creates customized co-branded credit card programs for some of the country's most successful travel, entertainment, retail and financial institutions, including US Airways, Best Western, Carnival Cruise Lines, Princess Cruises, Travelocity, L.L.Bean, Barnes & Noble and BJ's Wholesale Club. The company employs 1,400 associates and was named a Top Employer in Delaware in 2008. For more information please visit www.barclaycardus.com.

Globally, Barclaycard provides credit cards in the U.K., Germany, Spain, Italy and Portugal. In the Nordic region, Barclaycard operates through Entercard, a joint venture with Swedbank.

Barclaycard is a division of Barclays PLC, a major global financial services provider engaged in retail and commercial banking, credit cards, investment banking, wealth management and investment management services. With over 300 years of history and expertise in banking, Barclays operates in over 50 countries, employs 135,000 people and services accounts for over 27 million customers and clients worldwide. For further information about Barclays, please visit www.barclays.com

SOURCE Barclaycard US

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