Barclays has tightened up the security of its email systems after its chief executive was duped by a prankster who was pretending to be the bank’s chairman.
Earlier this month, the boss of Barclays, Jes Staley, responded to an email from a disgruntled customer purporting to be chairman, John Mcfarlane.
But in reality the email was sent from a Gmail account john.mcfarlane.barclays@gmail.com
A number of senior bankers warned that the banking giant was exposed to malicious emails because of the way it configured its system, according to a report in FTAdviser’s parent publication the Financial Times.
The issue has prompted Barclays to toughen up the weaknesses in the security of its email system, with Barclays’ staff now receiving a warning note when the employee sends a message to an external email address.
The prank came shortly after Mr Staley apologised for trying to find out the identity of an anonymous whistleblower who had criticised a senior member of staff.
Speaking at the bank’s annual general meeting on 10 May, Mr Staley said: “I feel it is important that I acknowledge to you - our shareholders - that I made a mistake in becoming involved in an issue which I should have left to the business to deal with."
The Barclays boss is currently under investigation by UK regulators because of the whistleblowing incident, and will be hit with a significant cut to his paypacket.
katherine.denham@ft.com
