Is the barclays ISA a unicorn? 28 February at 7:22PM in Savings & investments 22 replies 2.2K views

Laurathebean

I have tried for 3 days to open a barclays 4% ISA. The process is impossible - you can’t open online, so i called to book an appointment. You can’t book an appointment until you download their app and verify yourself. I did that and then the app directed me to the phone number to book an appointment. I called (and after a massively annoying IVR) i spoke to an advisor who despite best efforts was unable to book an appointment and advised me to pop into a branch… 

Has anybody managed to open this ISA? Should I give up and go elsewhere? It’s no wonder Barclays are investing in digital skills, you need a bloody phd to access their services! 

xylophone

 is the barclays ISA a unicorn?

Can it only be captured by a virgin?

grumbler

Avoid Barclays -  How hard is it to open a new barclays bank account rant!

xylophone

Has anybody managed to open this ISA? 

Yes, I have (together with thousands of others presumably).

Have you tried using the app to open a Barclays current account and then applying for the ISA through the app?

I can't use the app but opened a current account on line, waited for the log in details to come through the post then applied for the ISA.

But experiences vary.....

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6425742/tried-opening-a-isa-with-barclays/p1

Stargunner

grumbler said:

Avoid Barclays -  How hard is it to open a new barclays bank account rant!

I did avoid them. I just sat at home and downloaded their app. I then opened a current account from the app. That then entitled me to open the ISA from within the app and both accounts were opened and the ISA funded within 40 mins. Very simple process!

Laurathebean

Thanks for the responses and glad its not just me that has found the process difficult. I’m really IT literate so the lack of access makes my blood boil for those less able to navigate the system. The digital training programme they offer is clearly a PR stunt to balance their channel shift programme - sneaky. 

I think I will avoid Barclays, I don’t want to open another current account there and the difficulty accessing makes me concerned actually getting my cash back might be a pain! 

LHW99

I seem to remember Barclays had a fund called Unicorn, many years ago .....

Band7

Laurathebean said:

Thanks for the responses and glad its not just me that has found the process difficult. I’m really IT literate so the lack of access makes my blood boil for those less able to navigate the system. The digital training programme they offer is clearly a PR stunt to balance their channel shift programme - sneaky. 

I think I will avoid Barclays, I don’t want to open another current account there and the difficulty accessing makes me concerned actually getting my cash back might be a pain! 

Don't cut off your nose to spite your face. Barclays do from time to time have great products - e.g. their 1 year Flexible ISA, and their 5% Rainy Day Saver. 

Yes, you need to have a current account as a pre-req, and yes, some people stumble in the ID verification stage. But others sail through the process in very little time, and can then benefit from the products on offer. I am saying this as one of the people for whom opening their current account was an issue since I had previously held a current account with them which I had closed with undue haste, and their systems couldn't understand why I came back....... But I persisted and I am glad I did.

phillw

Laurathebean said:

Has anybody managed to open this ISA? Should I give up and go elsewhere?

Yes and maybe, if you have a virgin current account then they offer a better rate.

grumbler

phillw said:

Laurathebean said:

Has anybody managed to open this ISA? Should I give up and go elsewhere?

if you have a virgin current account then they offer a better rate.

... but don't allow any penalty-free withdrawals

Laurathebean

Band7 said:

Laurathebean said:

Thanks for the responses and glad its not just me that has found the process difficult. I’m really IT literate so the lack of access makes my blood boil for those less able to navigate the system. The digital training programme they offer is clearly a PR stunt to balance their channel shift programme - sneaky. 

I think I will avoid Barclays, I don’t want to open another current account there and the difficulty accessing makes me concerned actually getting my cash back might be a pain! 

Don't cut off your nose to spite your face. Barclays do from time to time have great products - e.g. their 1 year Flexible ISA, and their 5% Rainy Day Saver. 

Yes, you need to have a current account as a pre-req, and yes, some people stumble in the ID verification stage. But others sail through the process in very little time, and can then benefit from the products on offer. I am saying this as one of the people for whom opening their current account was an issue since I had previously held a current account with them which I had closed with undue haste, and their systems couldn't understand why I came back....... But I persisted and I am glad I did.

Thank you. I did have a wobble after my post and tried to open a current account with barclays to get the isa however you can only open a current account through the app, and as i had started the isa opening process i am now stuck in the app ‘book appointment’ stage and so unable to open a current account. It’s incredibly frustrating…. If i go near a branch anytime soon i will pop in and keep my fingers and toes crossed!