Barclays reports profits up 92 percent

The figure was boosted by the sale of its BGI fund management arm to US firm BlackRock last year. Stripping this out, profits were £5.6bn compared with £1.6bn in 2008, though that figure included hefty write-downs. The bank, which did not take any direct state help during the financial crisis, said its total bonus payouts for staff had been reined in to £2.7bn.

It will pay £1.5bn in bonuses for 2009 and a further £1.2bn to be paid over three years. Most of these bonuses go to staff at its Barclays Capital investment banking arm - which made £2.5bn.