Is the barclays ISA a unicorn?

Band7

On the advice of Barclays Complaints Department, I applied for my Barclays current account online because the app wouldn't work for me. It sailed through like a dream. I didn't have a pending ISA application at the time but there was a remnant of a current account application via the app, which the online application either didn't see, or simply ignored.

You might want to give it one more try online before throwing the towel?

xylophone

however you can only open a current account through the app, 

I opened mine on line.

xylophone

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

https://www.martinsbank.co.uk/Martins Unicorn.htm

Relative remembers his mother having various holdings when "Unicorn was setting the world on fire...."

Those were the days!

phillw

grumbler said:

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

There is a cost to flexibility for sure. How likely will you need that flexibility? If its just in case your boiler blows up, then you're wasting money for all the years it doesn't

LeafGreen

I opened a current account online (which has remained at zero balance) and was able to open the 4% ISA, all fairly easy and way better than faffing around with branch appointments.  However, I've had no comms re my transfer in request (not even an acknowledgement).  They do say 15 working days for it to be done but today is the 13th working day and still no suggestion it is in progress.

dingling68

grahamgoo said:

I opened a current account online (which has remained at zero balance) and was able to open the 4% ISA, all fairly easy and way better than faffing around with branch appointments.  However, I've had no comms re my transfer in request (not even an acknowledgement).  They do say 15 working days for it to be done but today is the 13th working day and still no suggestion it is in progress.

I returned my transfer form to Barclays on 7 Feb and had a message today that the transfer from Marcus was being processed and to allow 15 days. This is the first communication I have had since starting the whole thing back in January. I have had a text from Marcus today to confirm the transfer as well. 

Consumer3

Thanks to this forum with people sharing their experiences, I managed to open a current account and then the ISA via the Barclays app, took around 30mins. 

I can now cancel the branch appointment I had booked that wasn’t until mid March.

trust.no.1

I rung them up earlier this week and was expecting to have to book an appointement at a local branch. However the advisor I spoke to asked if I had any existing Barclays products such as a Barclaycard. As I had a Barclaycard I was able to apply for the ISA over the phone including verification via  a one time passcode sent to the moible phone registered against the Barclaycard.

noappkath

I tried to open a cash ISA with Barclays because they were offering best fixed 1 year cash isa interest rate.  I don't have an account with them so followed their information on the website and made an appointment in local branch (nearest one 15 miles away and had to wait about 3 weeks).  I prefer not to use online banking and don't like having loads of apps on my phone (call me old fashioned but we should have a choice).  I was told on the phone that I could verify my ID in branch but needed passport, utility bill etc.  When I got to the appointment I was told if I didnt have the app there was nothing that they could do and that Barclays wasnt the bank for me.  Needless to say I was not happy, having travelled 15 miles, paid to park, waste of time etc.  So beware anyone who wants to open an ISA with Barclays but doesnt want to use online banking or an app!!

Laurathebean

noappkath said:

I tried to open a cash ISA with Barclays because they were offering best fixed 1 year cash isa interest rate.  I don't have an account with them so followed their information on the website and made an appointment in local branch (nearest one 15 miles away and had to wait about 3 weeks).  I prefer not to use online banking and don't like having loads of apps on my phone (call me old fashioned but we should have a choice).  I was told on the phone that I could verify my ID in branch but needed passport, utility bill etc.  When I got to the appointment I was told if I didnt have the app there was nothing that they could do and that Barclays wasnt the bank for me.  Needless to say I was not happy, having travelled 15 miles, paid to park, waste of time etc.  So beware anyone who wants to open an ISA with Barclays but doesnt want to use online banking or an app!!

That’s really frustrating. I must say this whole barclays experience has showed me how brutal their channel shift approach is to get all of their customers online. The ‘digital training’ programme is clearly a comms ploy. The branches will no doubt be reducing soon…