Barclays Offers Face-to-face Video Banking in UK First

barclays video bankingBarclays has launched a video banking service, providing customers with a secure, face-to-face service through smartphones, tablets or computers around the clock.

The service enables customers to speak to a Barclays colleague around the clock for banking services and advice, and follows on from the success of video technology being introduced at a number of UK brands, as well as Sign Video, enabling customers who use British Sign Language to access an interpreter through video with no need to wait.

The service will arrive on 8 December for Premier customers, and will be rolled out to mortgage, business and wealth customers during early 2015. It will then be made available to all retail customers.

The service will automatically match customers with a specific member of staff they have spoken to previously, ensuring continuity of service and enabling customers to build a closer, more engaged relationship with Barclays.

“This is a watershed moment for the way people do their banking in the UK – where we will finally be able to interact with customers completely on their terms, rather than ours,” said Steven Cooper, CEO of personal banking at Barclays. “While many of our customers are increasingly using digital channels to complete routine transactions, for the important moments, you just cant beat face to face conversations, yet traditional branch opening hours dont always give customers that choice.

“In addition to the availability of our staff in our branches, over the phone or online, we are combining our dedicated staff with digital technology to bring this facility to customers wherever they are and at a time they choose – putting them in control of when and where they want to do their banking.”