MSE News: Barclays to open bank branches in Asda stores

Archi_Bald

I'd rather Waitrose expanded on their choice of fruit and vegetables than making space for a bank branch.

wymondham

Maybe this shows their clientele? I wonder what sort of bank would open in Aldi (Dave's loans) and what would open in Waitrose (bank de swiss)?

zerog

I'd rather we didn't have a ridiculous schedule where "working hours" are defined as 9-5 on weekdays.

Bloomberg

MSE_Darryl wrote: »

"Barclays is to open eight branches in Asda stores next year, offering banking services seven days a week...."

Read the full story:

Barclays to open bank branches in Asda stores



Click reply below to discuss. If you haven’t already, join the forum to reply. If you aren’t sure how it all works, read our New to Forum? Intro Guide.

As long as no existing branches are closed then I cannot see a downside to this initiative. Barclays like other banks make a healthy profit so it is nice to see them doing something to enhance their service.

Ken68

With some supermarkets being so tacky, better if Barclays had a separate entrance.
Imagine a bank next to the alcohol aisle.

TurnUpForTheBooks_2

Barclays and Walmart - now that's a heady combination for the times.

That Barclays should be trialing this at Asda makes you wonder exactly who they think makes them most money.

The suggestion that a branch in Waitrose would attract higher quality custom might actually prove useless as high quality personal banking customers don't just talk to any old bank staff.

I wouldn't say I was high quality bank business for any bank, and in fact I probably cost them more than they cost me ! That was definitely the case whilst I was borrowing on an offset base rate tracker mortgage and investing borrowed money at 3x the rate it cost me to borrow it! The fact is I haven't stepped foot inside a bank for nigh on two years, and that was a new bank to get a new zero commission zero fee card for foreign use.

No, the types who most often find the need to talk to their local bank are probably those who constantly struggle to make ends meet, and struggle to understand the constant fees added to their accounts. They are the ones who often need or want to borrow money at any rate, are more susceptible than most to sales banter, and frequently don't have the mathematical ability to even compare the price of four cans of Carslberg 440ml versus 12 x 330.

In other words, the type Barclays might be targeting in this trial are most likely typical of that large ripe-for-picking swarth of Asda shoppers who always go home with bags of cheap stuff they think they want or need, but actually have little idea whether they got value for money. However, one thing is for certain, and that is that they come back again time after time to be sold to :rotfl:

If one is a bank worker in 2013, one might well ask for what one needs to make a living versus 10 years ago - maybe what one needs is simply a lot more personal customer footfall ? Without those hefty commissions for selling PPI, one wonders whether a bank branch worker can earn much at all unless one services twice as many impressionable customers than one serviced before now that one's product range is so much thinner than one once had at one's disposal

Might they sell Asda Barclaycards perhaps? They stopped selling Barclaycards back around 2008 I think. Or perhaps because mobile phones seem to be catching on as payment devices, they might try selling Asda mobile phones on the side ? Not something many bank branch workers will be totally unfamiliar with as many of them started their retail careers in mobile phone shops

BugsyBrowne

Barclays in an Asda store my god that supermarket is like the meeting point for the rough...

JuicyJesus

BugsyBrowne wrote: »

Barclays in an Asda store my god that supermarket is like the meeting point for the rough...

I really don't trust any supermarket where I can find three aisle of booze and sugary soft drinks without a problem but basic cooking ingredients are hard to find.

Sounds like a perfect place to conduct banking transactions.

marinak

Although I have read the comments is it not still quite useful to have this? I feel its quite a good idea

BugsyBrowne

JuicyJesus wrote: »

I really don't trust any supermarket where I can find three aisle of booze and sugary soft drinks without a problem but basic cooking ingredients are hard to find.

Sounds like a perfect place to conduct banking transactions.

Couldn't agree more! Also the last time I regrettably had the misfortune in entering that place I was greeted with tracksuits and screaming kids, last time I've been in this environment was when I stayed in a 3 star all inclusive hotel in costa Blanca.