BARCLAYS Bank promised its staff bonuses worth £83 million sterling on the back of record profits of £2 billion. The banking giant is making the payout in recognition of the contribution by staff to the 12 per cent jump in profits during 1995 to £2.083 billion from £1.859 billion.

The profits surge came after an "impressive performance" in Britain and a 34 per cent drop in provisions for bad debts in the year.

Staff at the bank are set to receive on average £1,200 as a profit sharing bonus, equivalent to about 8 per cent of their salaries.