Barclays Bank

Here’s a question for you: Name the bank that is not only the 3rd largest bank in the UK, but also the 4 th largest provider of financial services and the 28 th largest by Market capitalization in the world? Don’t know? Here’s the answer – it’s the Barclays Bank.

Barclays plc is a provider offering financial services solutions world-wide. With presence across all seven continents, Barclays plc, the holding company for Barclays Bank, is listed on both London and New York Stock Exchanges.

With headquarters in both London and New York, Barclays is committed to serving the financial needs of customers in Europe, US, Latin America, Middle East, Africa, Australia, and Asia.

The history of Barclays Bank is rather old, and can be traced back to 1685 in London. The bank was named Barclays in 1736 and is currently being headed by Marcus Agius. Recently, there have been talks of an impending merger with ABN AMRO, the #1 bank in Netherlands. The merger is expected to be $91 billion in value and waiting approval from the shareholders. Additionally, there is news that the Royal Bank of Scotland is also interested in ABN AMRO.

In its endeavour to provide it’s customers with services that are both convenient and time savings, Barclays’ has gained membership of the Global ATM Alliance, which is a joint venture of many global banks. The membership of this Alliance allows its customers to use any card such as ATM card or check card at another member bank of the Global ATM Alliance team at no extra costs when travelling across the globe. Some of the member banks of this Alliance are Bank of America (United States), BNP Paribas (France), China Construction Bank (China), Deutsche Bank (Germany), Santander Serfin (Mexico), Scotiabank (Canada) and Westpac (Australia and New Zealand)

Barclays Bank offers some of the best credit cards to its customers. Barclaycard Platinum, Barclaycard Flexi-Rate, and Premiership Barclaycard are some of the most popular cards offered by the bank.

Barclaycard Platinum—it is a credit card that offers you more breathing space with reduced or no interest rates and more savings.

Enjoy 0% interest rate on all balance transfers for a period of 12 months (2.5% handling fee applies)
Spend to your heart’s content with 0% interest on all purchases made with the Barclaycard Premium for 3 months.
Enjoy flexibility by managing your credit card transactions online.
An interest rate of 14.9% APR (variable)

Barclaycard Flexi–Rate™ -- this credit card offers low rates when you pay more

Enjoy an interest rate as low as 9.9% interest p.a.

Enjoy 0% interest rate on all balance transfers until 1 st of July 2008 (2.0% handling fee applies)

Spend to your heart’s content, purchase gifts for family and friends with 0% interest on all purchases made with the Barclaycard Flexi-Rate credit card for 3 months.

An interest rate of 14.9% APR (typical variable)

No annual fee

In order to qualify for these credit cards you need to be above 21 years old and have a good credit history.