Barclays PLC (Barclays) is a global financial services provider engaged in retail and commercial banking, credit cards, investment banking, wealth management and investment management services with an international presence in Europe, United States, Africa and Asia. The Company operates in business segments: UK Retail Banking, Barclays Commercial Bank, Barclaycard, Global Retail and Commercial Banking (GRCB)-Western Europe, GRCB-Emerging Markets, GRCB-Absa, Barclays Capital, Barclays Global Investors and Barclays Wealth. In November 2008, Barclays PLC announced that it has completed the purchase of the Italian residential mortgage business of Macquarie Group Limited. In October 2008, Swiss Re completed the acquisition of Barclays PLC's Barclays Life Assurance Company Ltd. On September 22, 2008, Barclays PLC completed the acquisition of Lehman Brothers North American investment banking and capital markets operations and supporting infrastructure.