My husband joined Barclays bank quite a few years ago just after he left school. That was just an ordinary current account until he started a computer course at college and then changed it over to a student account. About a year into college he needed some cash to help everyday cost of living and to run his car. So he started work with an agency in a food factory a month after me (That's where we both met) and then decided to leave his college course as he wasn't learning anything new. He then had to change the type of account he had as it was still classed as a student account which he was no longer. The bank as a whole was very helpful and the change was done quickly and efficiently. After we got married in 1998 we then changed the account into a joint account for one reason or another but mainly because I needed access to cash while he was at work for food,
bills etc (all the boring stuff). Well then a couple years on we had a baby which meant it got increasingly difficult for us to get to the bank to sort out standing orders and bill payments so "online banking" was the answer, and now with another new addition and two older children it has proved a valuable service.
To register for online banking is easy and can be done over the telephone if you have telephone banking, over the internet or through any Barclays bank branches as long as you hold an account with them.
We have been using "online banking" for over a year now and have not came across any problems or errors with either the service or the web site. With the security being of very high standards for added peace of mind. You are given a membership number along with a passcode which needs to be used every time you log in which is ideal if you use a shared computer. Along with these you need to enter in your surname and 2 characters from your memorable word which can be anything you choose (the character are always random making each login session unique). Your membership number and passcode is sent through the post both in separate envelopes and on separate days for security, this takes around three days to come.
The service can be used for personal banking or for business banking and is not restricted for UK only use.
With Barclays online banking you can check any account balances and transactions that have been made from a choice of dates, you can just show basic details or very detailed transactions. For example all payments that's have been made using your debit/credit card if you have one, all cash withdraws from cash point machines, all standing orders or direct debits.
You can apply for additional accounts if you require (we set up another account online for the purpose of keeping our rent money separate from our existing account). You can apply for a Barclay loan with or without protection, this is done on a points system that basically if you get enough points depending on annual income, work status, how long you have lived at your current address etc you should qualify for a loan, you will always be able to see how many points you have at all time so it kind of gives you an indication of whether you qualify. We apply for a £1,000 loan and within a few days the paper work came through the post, once it was signed and they had received it back the loan was put into our chosen account. We can monitor what payments for the loan have come out of our account and how much is left on the loan to pay after the interest is added.
Overdrafts can also be applied for online with a simple process and a quick decision. You can choose if you wish to have overdraft protection in case something unexpected happens.
We have a few standing orders that come out of our account for services that we use, or standing orders that was set up for a service we was intending to use (OnDigital) until we had a problem receiving an TV signal and decided not to subscribe to it, we then cancelled and payments that was going to be took out of our bank account to pay for OnDigital as we didn't get to use the service.
Since using the online banking service for many its uses we find that we are in better control of our finances and are able to keep track of all payments that have been made and all future payments (standing orders) that will be made.
I would recommend online banking with such a bank as Barclays as it is so established and they have a great service and a growing reputation for being one of the best online banking services to date.
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Their online banking has approved with their new site, but I lost my password and I haven't been able to get through on their "customer service" line. Plus as others have said, keep your eye on them, I bank with them because they're near (all other banks have been closed in the area), but I don't rate them very high, they take advantage of their customers and take them for granted.
bandoo 29.04.2001 12:27
I've been using Business Barclays Online Banking for about 2 years now and find the service excellent. I also have my personal accounts included so can transfer monies etc. when needed. Great op. HB
mikeydred 20.04.2001 17:29
great op, hence the VH rating, however I wouldnt trust Barclays as far as I could throw them. These are the bank that introduced check cashing charges,and were the prime movers behind cash machine charges. Use them but keep a close eye on them. I'm with Nationwide who have an excellent online banking service and are extremely efficient and helpful. Mike
Advantages: Does the job, Free antivirus, Secure with PINSentry Disadvantages: Only 1 month worth of statements is accessible, PINSentry, Not user friendly to do some things
Advantages: Easy to set-up, easy to use, security like fort knox Disadvantages: you have to wait for passcodes to come in post, you can't pay in money (obviously!!)
Katie-Jane 25.10.2002 ·
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Barclays Bank Online
Advantages: Easy to set-up, easy to use, security like fort knox Disadvantages: you have to wait for passcodes to come in post, you can't pay in money (obviously!!)
Katie-Jane 25.10.2002 ·
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Barclays Bank Online
Advantages: Efficient, Good Variety of products, Best offered Cash ISA 2 years running Disadvantages: Try and sell you products that are not always beneficial to you.
BTreyo 18.04.2008 (18.04.2008)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful
Review of BarclaysBank Accounts
Apr 20th, 2001
very helpful by (100%):
