Barclays will take the axe to its controversial tax structuring unit, as the UK lender seeks to clean up its image in the wake of a succession of scandals. The business, which at its peak may have generated as much as three-quarters of profits at Barclays’ investment banking operation, will be shrunk dramatically as part of the bank’s Project Transform under new chief executive, Antony Jenkins. Barclays’ actions comes as global banks from Goldman Sachs to Deutsche Bank are reviewing their business models in response to new regulations and government enforcement efforts. “We have to take a fresh look to see if there are products and services in which…we no longer deem it appropriate to do business, regardless of financial return,” Rich Ricci, Barclays investment banking chief, said in an address to investors on Monday night… All activities would in future be “screened for reputational impact” as well as profitability, Mr Jenkins said. “Our ability to build a franchise over time depends on our reputation,” he added, admitting the bank had made some “serious mistakes” in recent years. [FT via HeidiMoore]