Barclays Appoints Industry Veteran Joe Purzycki to Chief Operating Officer of its U.S. Credit Card Business

Barclays (NYSE:BCS), today announced that Joe Purzycki has been appointed to the position of Chief Operating Officer (COO) for its U.S. credit card business.  Purzycki, an 18-year banking industry veteran, is responsible for all operational aspects of the business, including customer support, collections and technology. He continues to serve on Barclays Executive Committee.

As the COO, Purzycki will lead efforts to drive bank-wide efficiency, innovate with new technologies, improve the customer experience and provide foundational support for Barclays rapid growth.

Purzycki has served as the Managing Director for customer care and bank operations since August 2005.  Under his leadership, Barclays has grown to more than 1,400 employees and expanded to include a state-of-the-art business center in Colorado Springs, CO.  Additionally, the business has implemented several major customer-focused initiatives, including a bi-lingual customer care unit, a highly successful customer retention operation and cutting edge technologies to improve the customer experience.

“As Barclays continues growing its U.S. market presence and customer base, Joe will play a prominent leadership role in driving Barclays to the Top 10 of U.S. card issuers,” said Lloyd M. Wirshba, CEO of Barclays U.S. credit card business.  “Joe is a seasoned executive whose broad industry experience and focus on the customer make him ideal to lead operations.”

“Barclays is the fastest growing major U.S. credit card issuer because our focus has always been providing the best possible customer care and delivering on the commitments that we make to our partners,” said Purzycki.  “As Barclays U.S. market presence and customer base continues to grow, my goal is to ensure that Barclays has the right technologies, processes and personnel in place to maintain the high levels of service we are known for.”

Previously, Purzycki held various senior management positions with leading banks and credit card issuers such as MBNA, First USA, and JPMorgan Chase.  Most recently, he served four years as head of new business development and sales for Chase Card Services.  In 2000 and 2001, he also served as Chief Administrative Officer for Juniper Bank, prior to its acquisition by Barclays.  He currently sits on the Board of Directors for the Boys & Girls Club of Delaware, and is part of its management committee.