I have banked with Barclays since my university days when they gave me around £20 to open an account. I thought it was a fantastic offer at the time. As I progressed from education into full time employment I stayed with them. The main reason for this decision was ease of access to a local branch - there is one just 2 mins form my place of work.
Over the years I have found the staff helpfulness improve. During my early years of banking with Barclays I made the stupid mistake of leaving my card in a cash machine and someone withdrew the maxim allowed for that day! To me it was quite a lot of money at the time. Although it was my fault I did question the machine set up. My efforts were rewarded by a £50 gesture of good will. Whilst this did little to compensate for the amount lost, it was a welcome gesture.
Nowadays I find banking with Barclays as easy as can be. I very rarely use the branch, but when I do, if find the staff courteous and always willing to help. The main advantage of Barclays which sets it ahead of some other competitors I have banked with, is their online features.
With Barclays it is easier to view balances and transactions online than use the paper statements they send! It is that good. One of the best things about the online banking is the ability to set up relatively high interest e-savings accounts. You can have as many or as few as you wish and I find this an excellent way to save for a particular thing e.g. holiday or wedding. You can transfer between accounts, set up monthly direct debits and standing orders and make payments to others or pay bills on line.
Recently Barclays introduced a 10% savings account where you pay in a set sum each month, up to £250 and at the end of the term (1 year) you get 10% of the balance in interest. I have yet to find a better savings offer without stepping in to the more rigid ISA, TESSA and shares approach.
Barclays also offer incentives to get you to bank online, such as entry into a price draw for paying bills online! Although I have never won, this is an added incentive for those who are perhaps shy of internet banking.
Due to the great online banking facilities, I would find it very difficult to leave Barclays bank! I think I will bank with them for some time to come.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Advantages: It is so easy to use Barclays Online Bank and it is very secure! Disadvantages: It takes it's security very serious, but a little too serious! If you click twice instead of once in your account area you are logged off!
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
Sep 27th, 2006
very helpful by (13%):
helpful by (87%):
