A happy student banking with Barclays (Barclays Bank)

Name: muffet_king

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Product:	Barclays Bank
Date:	14/08/02 (353 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: helpful, friendly staff, everything done for you, easy to increase overdraft etc

Disadvantages: none that I can think of!

I have been a very happy Barclays customer for 6 years now. Not very long admittedly, but I am only 19. I first opened an account when I was 13. I only had about £5 in there for years, until I got a job!

Barclays are very helpful, and they do everything for you. When I turned 16, I was awaiting my GCSE results. Barclays sent me a letter asking me what I wanted to do with my account, and gave me 2 options, which they thought were the most suitable for me at the time. These options were continuing education, or starting work. I passed my exams, so decided to stay on at school. So I chose this option. All I had to do was tick a box on a form and send it off, and they done everything for me.

This gave me an account, into which my wages from my part time job were paid into. I had a Visa Electron debit card, which to be honest isnt very useful, it can be used in places such as Tescos, Sainsburys, New Look and Wilkinsons that I know of, although I think it is more widely used now. This was however ideal for what I needed it for. There was no overdraft facility available, and no chequebook. I didnt have to do anything at all, I just sent my form back, and received my new card within a couple of days, and loads of leaflets telling me where I could use my card, and also a leaflet with frequently asked questions.

Then, 2 years later, as I turned 18, and was awaiting my A level results; they sent me a letter again giving me the options they thought were suitable. On successfully achieving the grades I needed, I was planning to go to university. So again, with no effort on my part, I chose this option on the form they sent me. For this account I got a new debit card, this time a Visa debit card, which can be used anywhere. This card doubled as a cheque guarantee card, which also meant a chequebook. Finally there was an overdraft facility available. I had a £200 overdraft limit set on my card originally. There was also the option to apply for a credi

t card. I couldn?t resist the temptation so I applied. I got a card with a £500 limit, and very low charges.

When times got a bit tough, I decided to try and increase my overdraft limit. I went into the bank, and spoke to the personal bankers. They were very friendly and helpful. Due to having a student account, I had to fill out a budget form. This is to determine whether you have enough money coming in, so whether you need the overdraft. They also opened a savngs account for me, much to my surprise i must say!
Another benefit of having a student account is commission free currency exchange.

I have always been very happy with the service I have received. Their customer services are excellent, and the personal advisors are always extremely friendly, and try and advise on whats best for you. When I have rung up to ask for help, the people again were very helpful and friendly.

(29/12/2002) I would like to add to my review, that having got into a lot of financial trouble lately, having left uni, I have gone into Barclays, and rung them up, and they have been extremely helpful, and I thought people should know this. They will try and do all they can for you, whereas my other bank (Natwest) would not help me at all. Both personal bankers in the actual bank, or over the phone are both very helpful.

I have also discovered internet banking, and this is also a very good, worthwhile service. You can check your bank balance any time, day or night, something that comes in very handy. Paying bills and other benefits are also what make this service a must have.

This is all the experience I have had with Barclays. I dont really know what other services are available. I just wanted to give a viewpoint from a younger person, as im sure many other ops will tell you about the range of other services available.

I hope a different viewpoint, from a younger person, is helpful, especially if you have children looking for a
n account, or students. I would definitely recommend Barclays.

Summary: