Barclays Wealth Hires Chris Williams as Regional Manager for Chicago

CHICAGO, Sept. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Barclays Wealth, one of the leading global wealth management firms, is pleased to announce the hiring of Chris Williams as a Managing Director and Regional Manager of its Chicago office.

Mr. Williams will be responsible for managing all aspects of the Chicago branch and growing the business. He will report to Steve Houston, Head of Wealth Management, who oversees the Investment Representative network in the Americas.  Commenting on his position, Mr. Williams said: "I am excited to be joining Barclays Wealth as it continues its growth and momentum in the Americas and I look forward to the opportunities that lie ahead."

Mr. Williams has more than 27 years of wealth management and banking experience. Most recently he served as Regional Manager for Credit Suisse Private Bank in Illinois. Previously, he was a Market Executive and Sales Director at Bank of America Private Bank, where he was responsible for Chicago and the Upper Midwest. Prior to that, Mr. Williams held positions with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney. Mr. Williams holds a BA in Economics and English from the University of Michigan.

"We are extremely please to have an executive of Chris's caliber leading the Chicago region," said Mitch Cox, Head of Barclays Wealth, Americas, and Head of Global Research and Investments for all of Barclays Wealth. "As a firm, Barclays Wealth is committed to investing in our people, our platform and our systems and Chris's hire exemplifies our dedication to delivering a best-in-class client experience."

With 14 offices across the U.S. and Latin America, Barclays Wealth in the Americas provides comprehensive wealth management to high net worth individuals and families. The firm focuses on understanding its clients' financial needs, personal aspirations and tolerance for risk in order to design and implement highly customized investment solutions.

About Barclays Wealth

Barclays Wealth is a leading global wealth manager, and the UK's largest, with total client assets of $232bn (153.5bn pounds Sterling), as of June 30, 2010. With offices in over 20 countries, Barclays Wealth focuses on private and intermediary clients worldwide, providing international and private banking, investment management, fiduciary services and brokerage.

Barclays Group is a major global financial services provider engaged in retail and commercial banking, credit cards, corporate banking, investment banking, wealth management and investment management services with an extensive international presence in Europe, the Americas, Africa and Asia.

For further information about Barclays Wealth, please visit our website www.barclayswealthamericas.com.

Twitter page: www.twitter.com/barclayswealth

Barclays Wealth is the wealth management division of Barclays Bank PLC, functioning through Barclays Capital Inc. in the United States. Barclays Capital Inc., an affiliate of Barclays Bank PLC, is a U.S. registered broker-dealer and regulated by the Securities & Exchange Commission. Member SIPC.

SOURCE Barclays Wealth