Barclays CEO Staley aims to stay two more years

Barclays Chief Executive Jes Staley is aiming for another two years in the role.

He made the comments off the back of good news for the lender on Friday (Oct 23).

Barclays reported stronger than expected third-quarter results thanks to a return to profit for the bank's consumer businesses.

There has been speculation over Staley's future.

Barclays disclosed in February that British regulators had launched an investigation into Staley's past connections to the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

That probe is yet to conclude.

Staley has said he regrets having had any relationship with Epstein.

But he told reporters in a call on Friday "I think we'll be here for another couple of years".

Barclays is the first major British bank to publish third-quarter earnings.

Analysts and investors are watching results for any signs of a wave of bad loans due to the global slowdown.

The bank reported profit before tax of $1.4 billion - almost double analyst forecasts.

The bank's shares jumped following its results and were up as much as 8% in morning trade.

Barclays booked 608 million pounds in provisions for bad loans and other charges, down 63% from the previous quarter.

But it added that it was considering further cost-cutting measures, which could result in more charges.

Staley said these could include reductions in office space and other such overheads.

Barclays' British rivals all report their earnings next week.