Barclays - only self service on Saturdays nowadays - fucking annoying!

What’s a bank branch think there’s one in a town 20 miles away. But I know not of such a thing locally.

The branches are used by business. Mine is a nightmare. Only skeleton staff and always a massive queue to speak to the single woman on the desk whilst the few other staff members float around with iPads.

I’ve had several issues where I had to go in branch and needed human support - it’s a bloody nightmare.

It's so annoying isn't it.

They used to open till 4pm. As for not wanting to stand by the door, tough. Our investments keep them in the job. Anyway someone stands by that door all day, directing you away from the counter to automatic paying in machines. You have to wait a week for an appointment to speak to an advisor just to open, close investment accounts.

I'm from a relatively big city and we only have one branch of each major bank left. The opening times are mon-fri for a few hours during the day or booking only. And some of them don't carry cash at the bank anymore.

I misplaced my bank card last year and realised I'm screwed. After that I got Google pay and Revolut card as a backup in case I have to wait for a new card in the future.

Find somebody who has PayPal and send it that way. (Assuming you already have PayPal!)

The last time I ordered a new card, it provided me with the details to add to Apple Pay and the like at that point. I presume so I could use the card before the physical one arrived.

How well do you know your workmates? I'd definitely lend a colleague I'd known a long time £100 quid or so while they waited for a bank card. I wouldn't expect them to transfer me the money til later when they got their new card sorted. I appreciate not everyone has money to lend sitting around but plenty of people do.

Are you not worried that Monzo have never made a profit and are being investigated for money laundering?

I can’t trust them with my money at the moment. If they receive a fine they are going under.

Bank staff (in Lloyds anyway) are now being trained on how to stop people approaching the counter.

do you use Apple Pay/ google pay? Most banks allow you to use your card there before you receive the actual card.

there are also ways that they can get money out of your account without needing a counter.

I get your frustration but you are behind the times. Most banks haven’t had a counter service on a Saturday for over a decade. If you haven’t noticed it shows that it is a service that you can’t expect a bank to have.

My comment was to Justasking

Not UK, but we've a similar problem. Branches have closed or don't open Saturday. Most are now cashless anyway. We occasionally have bank crashes where no one can pay for anything from a particular bank, either.

My solution is to have accounts with two banks. Our savings go into the second bank. This way we're not reliant on one card/bank. It's saved me a few times!

We recently opened starling bank accounts, was open within a few hours and card details then could be added to Apple Wallet.

Would that be an option for you? You could just transfer some money in from your main bank account to use with Apple Pay, if you have an iPhone. Not sure if you can use digital wallet with other phones

Did you think they should have remained open to serve you? Whilst I agree that the service from banks (if you are lucky enough to find one still open) is now minimal, a real bugbear of mine is people who turn up to shops/banks/retail outlets at closing time. Also bank security dictates that there should not be any customers in the banking hall after closing time which means they can't close the doors if you are inside. If you go in one minute late, some poor buggar has to stand by the door to stop other people following suit, delaying the closing procedures and therefore thr time staff can get home.

Surely calling and making a transfer over the phone is LESS effort than driving 30 minutes to your branch to withdraw cash though?

This is why I use Monzo. Can't imagine having to verify a bank transfer with my Debit Card, what a faff!

Really poor service op, potentially leaving you vulnerable without access to cash. I think all the banks are heading the same way. Those with a local branch open on a Saturday probably won't have for very long IMO.

I had this with Barclays children's accounts. My DC are teens and want to transfer money to me sometimes. Because they are under 18, they have to go in person and set up the transfer facilury at the bank, it can't be done on the app. But the bank only has human beings in it Mon - Fri 10am to 3pm. We had to wait for the school holidays to set it up. I see why they're reducing staff but they then also stop insisting on things being done in person.

Barclays has gone down the pan, used to say it was the local bank. I don't bank online so struggling with their bank closes and reduced hours. No counter service on a Saturday is stupid. I moved in the end. Await new bank doing the same thing ...

I chose banks who have branches in the town I work in, so if I needed to I can pop it at lunch and get anything sorted