BARCLAYS, Britain's largest bank, yesterday announced record half-year profits of £1.04 billion.
But while the increase pleased the City, exceeding expectations by at least £300 million, customers and unions called on the bank to use its profits wisely.
The Consumers' Association said the profits "add insult to injury for thousands of customers who have suffered poor service and too high charges".
It added: "It is high time for the profits to be ploughed back into giving customers a reasonable and fair service."
The banking union, BIFU, urged Barclays, which has shed more than 16,000 jobs since 1991, to use the money "to repair much of the damage inflicted on staff morale and customer confidence".
Mr Andrew Buxton, Barclays ' chairman, said: "The group has again started to earn a profit commensurate with an international business with assets of £161 billion."
Shares in the bank rose 4p to 568p as Barclays also increased its interim dividend by 23 per cent to 8p.
Mr Buxton said a reduction in bad debts, at record high levels for four years, was the principal cause for the revival but he dismissed calls from BIFU to halt staff cuts of 5,000 by the end of next year and said further job losses may be needed.
