Barclays

Barclays: personal banking in the UK

Barclays is a financial institution that focuses on personal banking in the UK. Its offering covers products and services such as current accounts, mortgages, personal loans, credit cards, savings accounts, investments and insurance. The institution also provides access to banking services through its mobile app, online banking and physical branches.

Personal banking products and services

The range of products for individuals includes:

• Current accounts: Barclays Bank Account, Premier Current Account, Joint Bank Account, Student Bank Account, Children’s Bank Account (for ages 11 to 17) and Barclays Basic Current Account. It also offers reward programmes such as Barclays Avios Rewards and Blue Rewards.
• Mortgages: options for first-time buyers, buying to let, shared ownership, offset mortgages and Help to Buy. Includes mortgage calculators, agreement in principle and application management.
• Loans: personal loans, car loans, debt consolidation and borrowing more on an existing loan. Tools such as a loan repayment calculator and debt consolidation calculator.
• Credit cards: credit card comparison, including purchase offers, balance transfers, rewards, Amazon Rewards, Avios and credit building cards. The Barclaycard Platinum credit card is one of the featured options.
• Savings: savings accounts, ISA accounts, bond accounts and children’s savings accounts. It also provides information on interest rates and managing your Help to Buy ISA.
• Investments: direct investing accounts, Stocks and Shares ISA, Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP), ready-made investments and transferring investments. Includes calculators and educational videos.
• Insurance: life insurance, travel and breakdown insurance, and tech insurance.

Service channels and digital tools

Barclays makes financial management easier through multiple channels. The Barclays app allows you to check balances, send money, manage spending, receive instant notifications and control cards. Online banking and physical branches complete the access options. The institution also offers services such as international payments and access to inactive accounts.

Promotions available at the time of analysis

The website showed a promotion whereby customers could get up to £600 when transferring an ISA balance of between £10,000 and £100,000 to a fixed term cash ISA, and up to £150 when taking out a new life insurance policy. The offer was valid from 8 September to 25 November, subject to terms and conditions, exclusions and eligibility requirements. For example, to get £600 a minimum transfer of £100,000 and a Premier Current Account were required; for £50, a minimum transfer of £10,000 and a current account. In the case of life insurance, you could get £100 with a current account and a policy with a minimum monthly premium of £10, or £150 with a Premier Current Account and a minimum premium of £12.50, among other conditions.

Services for specific segments

In addition to general personal banking, Barclays offers specialised services such as Premier Banking, with exclusive benefits, preferential savings rates, specific mortgage options, 24/7 UK-based telephone support and higher payment limits. It also has educational resources on finance for children and young people, and tools for managing money at different life stages.

Commitment to accessibility and security

The institution provides accessibility and disability support services, as well as information on fraud and scams, security and how to report incidents. It also offers guidance on how to control your privacy and personal data.