Barclays, Base Prospectus 2006
Barclays, Base Prospectus 2006
Barclays, Base Prospectus 2006
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Operational Risks<br />
The Group's businesses are dependent on the ability to process a large number of transactions<br />
efficiently and accurately. Operational risks and losses can result from fraud, errors by employees,<br />
failure to properly document transactions or to obtain proper internal authorisation, failure to comply<br />
with regulatory requirements and Conduct of Business rules, equipment failures, natural disasters or<br />
the failure of external systems, for example, the Group's suppliers or counterparties. Although the<br />
Group has implemented risk controls and loss mitigation actions, and substantial resources are devoted<br />
to developing efficient procedures and to staff training, it is only possible to be reasonably, but not<br />
absolutely, certain that such procedures will be effective in controlling each of the operational risks<br />
faced by the Group.<br />
Risks Relating To The Financial Services Industry<br />
The most significant market risks the Group faces are interest rate, credit spread, foreign exchange,<br />
commodity price and equity price risks. Changes in interest rate levels, yield curves and spreads may<br />
affect the interest rate margin realised between lending income and borrowing costs. Changes in<br />
currency rates, particularly in the sterling-dollar and sterling-euro exchange rates, affect the value of<br />
assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies and affect earnings reported by the Group's<br />
non-UK subsidiaries and may affect revenues from foreign exchange dealing. The performance of<br />
financial markets may cause changes in the value of the Group's investment and trading portfolios and<br />
in the amount of revenues generated from assets under management. The UK and global financial<br />
services market remains highly competitive and innovative competition comes both from incumbent<br />
players and a steady stream of new market entrants. The landscape is expected to remain highly<br />
competitive in all the Group's businesses, which could adversely affect the Group's profitability.<br />
2. Summary of the "Terms and Conditions of the Notes and Related Information"<br />
Method of Issue<br />
Notes will be issued on a continuous basis in tranches (each a "Tranche"), each Tranche consisting of<br />
Notes which are identical in all respects. One or more Tranches, which are expressed to be consolidated<br />
and forming a single series and identical in all respects, but having different issue dates, interest<br />
commencement dates, issue prices and dates for first interest payments may form a series ("Series") of<br />
Notes. Further Notes may be issued as part of existing Series. The specific terms of each Tranche<br />
(which will be supplemented, where necessary, with supplemental terms and conditions, the<br />
"Supplemental Terms and Conditions") will be set forth in the Final Terms. In the context of the<br />
issue of Notes under this Programme, from time to time, Notes may also be referred to as certificates<br />
(the "Certificates"), whereby Certificates are Notes in the meaning of § 793 German Civil Code. For<br />
Certificates and structured Notes the payment of interest and/or redemption amounts is usually linked<br />
to the performance of an underlying. In connection with the issue of Certificates all references in this<br />
summary to Noteholders shall be regarded as reference to Certificateholders. Generally, Notes may be<br />
referred to as "Certificates" in cases where the listing of the relevant Tranche or the determination of<br />
the specified denomination is effected by way of a quotation per unit.<br />
Currencies and Regulatory Matters<br />
Subject to any applicable legal or regulatory restrictions, any currency agreed between the Issuer and<br />
the relevant Manager(s).<br />
The Issuer shall ensure that Notes denominated or payable in Yen ("Yen Notes") will only be issued in<br />
compliance with applicable Japanese laws, regulations, guidelines and policies. The Issuer or its<br />
designated agent shall submit such reports or information as may be required from time to time by<br />
applicable laws, regulations and guidelines promulgated by Japanese authorities in the case of Yen<br />
Notes. Each Manager agrees to provide any necessary information relating to Yen Notes to the Issuer<br />
(which shall not include the names of clients) so that the Issuer may make any required reports to the<br />
competent authority of Japan for itself or through its designated agent.<br />
Denomination of Notes<br />
Notes will be issued in such denominations as may be agreed between the Issuer and the relevant<br />
Manager(s). However, Notes other than those Notes giving the right to receive a cash amount, as a<br />
consequence of the rights conferred by them being exercised, provided that the relevant Issuer is not