Barclays launches market leading service giving immediate access to online banking

    /24-7PressRelease/ - LONDON, UK, June 21, 2006 - The service is available to existing current account customers and allows them to sign up and start using online banking straight away by accessing the Barclays website. They need to key in their Connect or Electron card number together with their date of birth, this will enable them to look at their account balances, statements, move money between their accounts as well as apply for products including E-savings and overdrafts. In addition to this, when customers apply for a Barclayloan in online banking, they could get their funds in as little as 3 hours.

Barnaby Davis, Director, Online Banking says, "The internet is a growing and important channel for consumers and we are one of the largest online banks with more than 4.3 million users. Consumers expect to sign up to internet sites and start using them straight away, they don't want to be waiting days to receive information through the post. Our latest improvements demonstrate Barclays determination to give customers an efficient service when banking online."

Customers registering for this service online will automatically be sent their full registration information through the post, to allow them to access the full site where they can carry out third party transactions, including money transfers and bill payments.

To help protect customers against attacks by online fraudsters Barclays recently introduced free anti-virus software (F-Secure) and text message confirmations of transactions to protect against fraud. On-line fraudsters are using increasingly sophisticated methods to extract secure details from customers of both banks and retailers. Common tactics include phishing - sending emails claiming to be from a bank asking for personal and security information - and Trojans - installing software on a customer's PC which can record security and log-in details.

The award-winning package (F-Secure) is widely regarded in the industry as the most effective of its kind with the fastest response times to the latest threats, and automatic hourly updates. It prevents viruses and worms being downloaded to a computer, scans emails, protects users against spyware and comes with free 24/7 technical support. The text message service will notify customers when making a third party online payment for the first time, enabling customers to alert the bank immediately if the transaction is suspicious.

Barclays also offers a guarantee against loss if customers innocently suffer from internet fraud on their Barclays bank account.

For further information:
Barclays
Andrew McDougall, PR Manager
UK Banking, Barclays Corporate Affairs, 0207 116 6159
[email protected]

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