The United Kingdom is home to a long list of venerable financial institutions. From wealth management to commercial banking, these firms offer a wide range of services to millions of individuals and businesses throughout the world. Some trace their roots back to 17th and 18th century Great Britain, others expanded here from beyond British shores — but all of them are an important part of the UK’s financial landscape. Here are some you should know.
Top Finance Companies in the UK
- Capital One
- HSBC
- Goldman Sachs
- Barclays
- Citi
- Aviva
6 Top Finance Companies in the UK
The Capital One brand is a globally-recognized name in banking. Its credit cards are popular among consumers who are able to earn rewards when they spend and build their credit history. The company has operations in multiple countries, and its presence in the U.K. includes a corporate office location in London.
HSBC offers a variety of investment, banking and wealth management services to millions of customers, ranging from individuals to some of the world’s biggest companies and governments. The company was founded in 1865 by a Scotsman living in Hong Kong, and is now considered to be one of the largest financial institutions in not just the UK, but the world. HSBC’s UK headquarters is located in Birmingham, England, and it maintains a network of hundreds of bank branches throughout the region.
Goldman Sachs is a prominent global investment banking and financial services firm, with offices in major cities all over the world — including London, where it has a large corporate headquarters. The finance giant plays a crucial role in the UK’s financial landscape, offering a wide range of wealth management and banking support. It has even backed some of England’s buzziest fintech startups, including Starling and Fleximize.
Headquartered in London, England, Barclays is considered to be a universal bank, meaning it participates in a wide array of financial services, including those tailored to retail, commercial and investment, as well as certain kinds of insurance. In 2019, the company even began exploring blockchain technology as a way to simplify its payments infrastructure and make it more secure. Barclays has several corporate offices throughout Great Britain.
Citigroup, commonly known as Citi, is a major global financial institution, offering banking and investment services to more than 200 million customers across 160 countries and jurisdictions. The UK serves as the headquarters for the company’s European, African and Middle Eastern operations. Its main campus is in London, but it also has sizable offices in Belfast, Derby and Edinburgh.
Insurance company Aviva offers a range of auto, home, life and health coverage plans. It also offers long-term savings products and fund management services to help its customers save up for retirement. The company has about 18 million customers across its core markets in Ireland, Canada and the United Kingdom, where it serves as the largest general insurer and leading pensions provider.
