bank basic
informationBarclays Bank is a commercial bank, non-state-owned or joint venture, originated in 1690, officially established in 1896, headquartered at 1 Churchill Place, Canary Wharf, London, United Kingdom. The bank, which is jointly owned by institutional investors and public shareholders, strengthened its capital position in 2023 by raising £7 billion from investors in Abu Dhabi and Qatar. Barclays is strictly regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) and is required to comply with the UK Banking Act and international financial standards to ensure operational transparency and the safety of client funds. Its deposits are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) in the United Kingdom, with a maximum protection of £85,000 (about $107,000) per depositor. The bank's SWIFT code is BARCGB22 and the Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) is G5GSEF7VJP5I7OUK5573. Barclays has around 1,400 branches and 4,500 ATMs in the UK, as well as branches in more than 40 countries around the world, employing around 87,000 people worldwide.
Deposit & Loan Products
depositsBarclays
offers a wide range of deposit products to meet the savings needs of individual and corporate customers:
demand depositsThis includes chequing and savings accounts, such as Barclays Everyday Saver, with a minimum opening amount of £100 and a base annualized rate of return (APY) of around 0.5%, subject to confirmation of the latest rate via branch or internet banking.
Fixed Deposits: Currencies such as GBP, USD, EUR are supported, with deposit terms ranging from 6 months to 5 years and a minimum deposit of £500. In 2025, the interest rate on Barclays Online CDs can be up to 4.0% (12 months, no minimum deposit), which can be enquired through online banking.
Featured products:
High-yield savings accounts: such as Barclays Online Savings, which offer up to 4.2% APR, no minimum deposit requirement, and no monthly fees, suitable for customers who are looking for high returns.
Large Certificates of Deposit (CDs): Offer flexible tenors, interest rates up to 4.0%, no minimum deposit requirements, and early withdrawal penalties of 90 to 180 days of interest.
Customers can enquire about the "Cloud Interest Rate" offer through the Barclays Mobile Banking app or online banking, and the deposit products can be opened and calculated instantly, and some accounts can be offered without transaction fees.
loansBarclays
offers a comprehensive range of loan products to meet diverse financing needs:
mortgages: Fixed-rate and variable-rate mortgages are available for up to 90% of the value of the property, with a repayment period of up to 40 years. In 2025, the fixed rate is as low as 4.19% (2-year tenor), and the floating rate is based on the Bank of England's benchmark rate (5.25%), offering cash rebates and green mortgage discounts (energy-efficient homes). To apply, you need a credit score of 700 or above and an annual income of more than £20,000.
Car Loans: New and used car financing is supported with a loan amount of up to £50,000 for a term of up to 7 years, an annualised interest rate (APR) as low as 5.9%, and a credit score of 660 or above.
Personal Line of Credit: Unsecured loans are available in amounts ranging from £1,000 to £50,000 with an APR range of 5.9% to 29.9%, with an application threshold of an annual income of £10,000 or more and a good credit history.
Flexible repayment options: Mortgages and personal loans offer no penalty for early repayment, monthly or bi-weekly repayment plans, and Home Equity Loans (HELOC) offer a revolving line of credit that allows interest-only payments.
All loans are subject to bank approval, and customers are required to provide credit history, proof of income and asset information, subject to the terms of the loan agreement. The bank's trade finance services provide additional support to cross-border businesses.
Digital Service
ExperienceBarclays' mobile banking app "Barclays Mobile Banking" is the core of its digital services, available for download on iOS 14.0 and above and Android 9.0 and above devices, with an App Store rating of 4.8 and a Google Play rating of 4.7, with users praising its smooth experience and versatility (Barclays Mobile Banking）。 Core features include:
Face recognition: support for biometric authentication (such as Face ID and Touch ID), combined with multi-factor authentication and data encryption to ensure transaction security.
Real-time transfers: Faster Payments and CHAPS support instant transfers in GBP with a daily limit of up to £25,000, and international remittances cover multiple countries.
Bill management: Support online bill payment, automatic deduction and e-statement, and classify transaction records in real time.
Investment Tool Integration: Support stocks, ETFs, mutual funds and bonds with Barclays Investment Solutions, providing real-time market data and investment advisory services.
The online banking platform supports multiple browsers, and customers can manage their accounts at any time through the app or official website. The app supports accessibility features and is compatible with the needs of visually impaired and hearing-impaired customers. Some users have reported occasional technical issues, but Barclays continues to improve the user experience.
Technological
InnovationBarclays excels in fintech:
AI customer service: Handle transaction queries, bill payments, and financial advice with AI-powered virtual assistants, automating 90% of customer interactions, and receive The Digital Banker" "Best AI Application Award".
Robo-advisors: Automated investment management through Barclays Wealth, combined with AI technology to recommend personalised portfolios, with a minimum investment of £1,000 and no subscription fees.
Open Banking API: Complying with UK Open Banking standards and integrating with third-party service providers to provide account management and financial services interoperability, particularly in the SME financing and payments space.
Other innovations: Support for mobile check deposits, Open Banking data sharing, and Fraud Protection tools that leverage AI to detect fraud and reduce fraud losses by 30% by 2023. In 2024, banks will invest £1 billion to upgrade their cloud technology and digital platforms.
Featured services and differentiationBarclays
stands out for its globalisation and innovative services:
green finance: launch of green bonds and energy-efficient residential loans, £200 million investment in 2023 to support sustainable projects, Responding to the United Nations Principles for Responsible Banking (Green Finance).
SME support: Supporting 5,000 SMEs in the UK through bespoke loan and cash management services through Barclays Business Banking, with financing available in 2023 (SME Services).
Global Investment Bank: Providing M&A financing, equity issuance and foreign exchange trading services to Fortune 500 companies and high-net-worth clients.
Community Contribution: Supporting education and charity projects through the Barclays Foundation, donating £5 million for community development in 2023.
Wealth Management: Dedicated investment and trust services for high-net-worth clients through Barclays Wealth.
Market Position & Accolades
Barclays is one of the largest banks in the UK, with total assets of around £1.5 trillion in 2023, ranking among the top banks in the world. The bank has around 1,400 branches in the UK, serving 24 million customers and employing 87,000 people worldwide. As a global systemically important bank, Barclays is a leader in investment banking, ranking 84th on the Forbes Global 2000 list in 2023. Key accolades include:
The Banker's 2023 Best Investment Bank in the World.
2022 Greenwich Associates SME Customer Experience Award.
The 2023 "Best Employer" certification recognizes performance in employee development and community support.
Euromoney Best Green Finance Bank 2023.
Barclays' solid financial performance and innovative ability have made it a leader in the UK and global financial markets.
