Barclays Mortgage App - requirement to open a Barclays current account or savings account?

mither_2

I've recently agreed a fixed rate mortgage with Barclays and would prefer to monitor the mortgage via an or to discuss the mortgage with them via the chat function in the website than having to call them each time.

However, I've been told that in order to view my mortgage via the app I need to have a current or savings account with Barclays. I have the Santander 123 Lite account which isn't as good as it once was but if I were to switch to another current account than Barclays as there are better offers available. 

Therefore I'm thinking about setting up a Barclays saving account. The rates are very low and don't really appeal at all but if I can open the account with £1 and then transfer a small amount in every month this should be enough to keep the account live and so I can benefit from having the app to view my mortgage. 

Has anyone else experienced this?  Has the course of action described above worked for you?  

Thanks!

mither_2

Does anyone have any experience of this app? Please let me know if you do. 

london21

I have the barclays app, do not have a mortgage with barclays but can imagine once you get the mortgage completed surely can use an app without the need of creating a current/savings account.

santander 123 rates started well but with record low interest rates switched my account to a no fee basic one. They were paying £5 and deducting £4. Enjoyed when they offered 3%.

kingstreet

AFAIK Barclays automatically opens a current account when you take a mortgage. If not now, it used to happen.

mither_2

london21 said:

I have the barclays app, do not have a mortgage with barclays but can imagine once you get the mortgage completed surely can use an app without the need of creating a current/savings account.

santander 123 rates started well but with record low interest rates switched my account to a no fee basic one. They were paying £5 and deducting £4. Enjoyed when they offered 3%.

Youd' think so but when I called to ask about this the other day this is the info that they gave me and I find them very hard to get hold of on the phone (long waiting times) and so my preference would be to try to connect with the via the chat function on the app which doesn't seem to be available on the website. 

Mnoee

It's worth having a barclays current account if you have a mortgage with them for the blue rewards - costs £4 per month, but you get £5 back for having a mortgage with them, and £7 if you have two direct debits. The minimum pay in is low (£800), so £8 a month free for using them. https://www.barclays.co.uk/current-accounts/blue-rewards/ 

One pitfall - if you open a new account online, it won't necessarily find and link your mortgage account, it'll need phone/video calls to sort so you can actually view your mortgage. I'd do it in branch if at all possible, or be prepared for a bit of hassle. I don't have a savings account with them, so I don't know if it's the same for that, or just with current accounts.

I find their text support absolutely useless, but their video call support is faster than phoning and generally great. 

amnblog

The Barclays APP provides access to Barclays Bank Account holders. That is it's primary function.

Hence you will need it if you want to review your mortgage position using the app.

mither_2

amnblog said:

The Barclays APP provides access to Barclays Bank Account holders. That is it's primary function.

Hence you will need it if you want to review your mortgage position using the app.

Thanks - just tried again now to take out an account and was blocked from doing so. It seems I'll need to call someone to try and resolve the issue. Not been impressed with Barclays so far... 

dimbo61

We have a Barclays offset mortgage and have all our current and savings accounts linked and LOVE it.
Can check all accounts , direct debits, set up new payers, etc.
Transfer money from one account to another and check balance daily if we want.
Love the app

Can even offset our ISA savings 

amnblog

The APP is the only service from Barclays I have experienced that works without hassle.

mither_2

Sounds like it might be the solution. Hopefully I can get set up on it soon