I have banked with Barclays for nearly 8 years, and have a sole and joint current account with Barclays. Over the years I have at times been disappointed with some of the services. Barclays don't seem to offer the best rates when it comes to mortgages, loans or savings. However, I have no complaints when it comes to current accounts. I started off the old fashioned way with a paying in book, and regular appointments to sort out my account. But I never really liked having to stand in line for a counter (does anybody?), there was always a queue no matter what time of day, and you always had to wait even longer if you wanted an appointment to see a personal banker. Then telephone banking and internet banking came along and I haven't looked back. I used telephone banking alone for a couple of years, and found it easy to navigate, quick and very reliable. If you couldn't do things yourself with the push-button menus you just dialled straight through to an assistant and without a doubt they were always able to help me - always polite and knew exactly what they were talking about - they even find phone numbers for other services for you without a single grumble. I can't remember the last time I had to go into the Branch to get anything done it's that good.
Internet banking had begun to take off, but due to the bad press I wasn't too keen to jump in feet first. But after a while I thought I'd give it a go, and my life is so much easier. It takes seconds to login and check the balance on your accounts, transfer money, pay bills and check old statements (if you need to!) and I've always felt that my information was being stored safely as there has never been any misuse on my account. Occasionally I've had to ring up and get something clarified, but that has usually been my error and not that of the systems. I really would recommend it to anybody who hasn't tried. I will never go back to doing things over the counter, don't get me wrong - sometimes you need a personal service - but isn't that what the phone is for. I don't need to queue up and sit in front of somebody to get my questions answered. With the combination of BarclayCall (Telephone Banking) and the Internet I have all that I need.
On a separate note the one thing I'm not too impressed with is the charges Barclays have introduced over the years. I choose to have a Barclays "Additions" account - as it has lots of little benefits attached to it such as interest free £100 o/draft, £100 cheque guarantee card etc. It started off as £5 per month charge for the account and is now standing at £7.50 per month. I think banks should offer these services for free as an incentive to have the current account. And the other things I mentioned - savings, loans, mortgages etc. Well I can shop around for these on the internet and there are good offers all over the place, so I don't have a problem with that as long as my current account is working for me!
Hi, sorry to have my work head on, but I work for Barclays and the reason people rate Internet banking so highly is that you (the customer) are responsible for all the transactions you make online. So in the event of something not happening when you'd expect it to, as a result of being on the online banking site would be the customers fault(99% of the time). As yet, i've never received a complaint from a customer admitting that they were angry at us because they'd messed up. But, on the other hand, if you phone or call in and something goes wrong - you would be able to blame someone. This is why the bank love Internet banking so much - that, and the fact that it's about 90% cheaper than employing someone to do it for you. It's a win-win situation for any bank.
01.07.2003 00:31
Hi, sorry to have my work head on, but I work for Barclays and the reason people rate Internet banking so highly is that you (the customer) are responsible for all the transactions you make online. So in the event of something not happening when you'd expect it to, as a result of being on the online banking site would be the customers fault(99% of the time). As yet, i've never received a complaint from a customer admitting that they were angry at us because they'd messed up. But, on the other hand, if you phone or call in and something goes wrong - you would be able to blame someone. This is why the bank love Internet banking so much - that, and the fact that it's about 90% cheaper than employing someone to do it for you. It's a win-win situation for any bank.
08.01.2003 11:25
Very good attempt for a first op. I like your writing style, Susan:)
07.01.2003 07:03
A good op. I'd like to know a bit more about the online banking, as I'd be able then to compare it with my bank, Lloydstsb.