Barclays Bank Account

Select the link below for more information about our basic bank account. You can then print or save it to your computer. ³

See our rates and charges

Cooling off

If you are not happy with your account, you have a 14-day period in which to contact us to cancel your account or switch to another account. This period begins on the date your account is opened or the date you receive your terms and conditions and other account information, whichever is the later. If you contact us within this period to cancel or switch your account, we will refund any account fees you may have paid. However, if you cancel or switch your account at a later date, you will not be refunded the account fees that you have paid. If you wish to cancel or switch your account, you should tell us by writing to Barclays, Leicester LE87 2BB.

Your feedback

We want to hear from you if you feel unhappy with the service you've received from us. Letting us know your concerns gives us the opportunity to put matters right for you and improve our service to all our customers. You can complain in person at your branch, in writing, by email or by telephone. A leaflet detailing how we deal with complaints is available on request in any of our branches, from the Barclays Information Line on 0800 400 100 ⁴  or at www.barclays.co.uk. Alternatively you can write to Barclays, Leicester LE87 2BB.

If we do not resolve your complaint internally to your satisfaction, you may be able to refer it to the Financial Ombudsman Service at South Quay Plaza, 183 Marsh Wall, London E14 9SR (telephone: 08000 234 567). The Financial Ombudsman Service is an organisation set up by law to give consumers a free and independent service for resolving disputes with financial firms. Details of those who are eligible complainants can be obtained from the Financial Ombudsman Service.

Important information about compensation arrangements

We are covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). The FSCS can pay compensation to depositors if a bank is unable to meet its financial obligations. Most depositors – including most individuals and small businesses – are covered by the scheme.

In respect of deposits, an eligible depositor is entitled to claim up to £85,000. For joint accounts each account holder is treated as having a claim in respect of their share so, for a joint account held by two eligible depositors, the maximum amount that could be claimed would be £85,000 each (making a total of £170,000). The £85,000 limit relates to the combined amount in all the eligible depositor’s accounts with the bank, including their share of any joint account, and not to each separate account.

For further information about the scheme (including the amounts covered and eligibility to claim) please ask at your local branch, refer to the FSCS website www.FSCS.org.uk or call 020 7892 7300 or 0800 678 1100.

Barclays Bank PLC may also accept deposits under the following trading names; Barclays, Barclays Bank, Barclaycard, Barclays Business, Barclays Capital, Barclays Commercial, Barclays Corporate, Barclays Financial Planning, Barclays International Private Banking, Barclays Local Business, Barclays Premier, Barclays Private Bank and Barclays Wealth, Standard Life Cash Savings and Standard Life Cash Savings & Mortgages. Deposits accepted from an eligible depositor under these trading names are combined for the purposes of deposit compensation from the FSCS. The FSCS is not applicable to deposits held at branches in the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man.

To open one of our bank accounts in branch we need confirmation of who you are and where you live to meet government regulations. We need two original documents (not photocopies) from the lists below.

To confirm who you are, we need one of the following:

• Full, current UK passport
• Full, current foreign passport
• Current passport in your former name. Make sure you also supply supporting documents regarding your change of name, such as a marriage certificate, Decree Nisi with birth certificate or Deed Poll document
• Current UK photocard driving licence or UK full paper driving licence
• A current Blue Disabled driver's pass
• European Union member state identity card
• A current firearms licence
• Police warrant card
• UK Armed Forces ID card

To confirm where you live, we need one of the following:

• Current UK photocard driving licence or UK full paper driving licence (if you haven't already used this to prove who you are)
• Current European Union member state identity card
• UK bank statement that's less than 3 months old (internet statements are not acceptable)
• UK credit card statement that's less than 3 months old (internet statements are not acceptable)
• UK mortgage statement that's less than 3 months old (internet statements are not acceptable)
• Foreign bank statement
• Gas, water, electric, cable TV or landline (not mobile) phone bill that's less than 3 months old
• Local authority council tax bill issued within the current financial year
• Council rent book (must be current)
• Household or motor insurance certificate issued within the last 12 months

If you're applying for a joint account, we will need this identification from both of you, although you don't have to visit the branch at the same time.

If you have any questions about the documents you need including other options available, please speak to a Personal Banker at any branch.