Barclays PLC and four former executives at the company, including former boss John Varley, have been charged with conspiracy to commit fraud in relation to the bank's emergency fundraising during the financial crisis.
The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) said the charges relate to the bank's fundraising in 2008, during which the company raised emergency capital from Qatari investors amidst the financial crisis.
The SFO said it brought the charges against the bank, as well as 61-year-old Mr Varley, who has a home in Hammersmith, 61-year-old Roger Jenkins, the former executive chairman of Investment Banking and Investment Management in the Middle East and North Africa for Barclays Capital, also charged were Richard Boath, 58 and Thomas Kalaris, 61, who are both former senior executives.
All four will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on July 3.
Investigations have been focused around two "advisory services agreements", which Barclays agreed to pay the Qatar Investment Authority, totalling £322 million.
The bank was also faced with a £50 million penalty in 2013, from the Financial Conduct Authority, after it found Barclays failed to disclose arrangements and fees it paid to the Qatari investors.
Barclays contested the fine, and the challenge was put on hold whilst the SFO conducted their investigation, the stay has since been lifted.
The banking giant is also defending claims from financier Amanda Stavely, that her company, PCP Partners, is owned money relating to the fundraising nine years ago.
She wants to recover £700 million in advisory fees from the bank.
The United States Department of Justice and the US Securities and Exchange Commission have also been investigating into payments.
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