Barclaycard Launches Web Wealth Warning For Students

PRLog (Press Release) - Oct 02, 2007 -
With the new academic term fast approaching, Barclaycard has revamped its Student Barclaycard web-site with a few home truths for students.

The new site lays out the benefits of using a credit card (http://www.barclaycard.co.uk/products/apply/card_range.html ) but also sets out clear advice for Students on the potential downsides of debt and advice on borrowing responsibly.

Customers visiting the site are advised to shop around for the best deal on credit, warned that card interest tends to be higher than other types of borrowing, that missing payments can be costly and are encouraged not just to pay the minimum each month but to clear the balance if possible.

Amer Sajed, Managing Director UK Cards said: “Cards can be a lifeline for students managing a tight budget.  They can help make the most of your time at university and establish a credit record for the future but only if they are used sensibly.  Our new site includes some blunt advice to help our customers make the most of the benefits and avoid the pitfalls.”

Barclaycard Student offers the lowest typical APR of any student credit card (http://www.barclaycard.co.uk/students/ ) and has a range of features to promote responsible borrowing for consumers new to credit including:

- A maximum credit limit of £600 at account opening
- No fee for accidentally going over the credit limit
- Free text message reminders when the monthly payment is due
- A minimum monthly repayment of 5%
- A standard purchase APR of 14.9%
- A rate of 14.9% on cash advances (a 2.5% cash handling charge applies, with a minimum of £2.50)

Barclaycard Student (http://www.barclaycard.co.uk/students/ ) offers cardholders a range of benefits including money off student essentials at Argos and discounts from a range of retailers including Domino’s Pizza, Ticketmaster and Phones4U.  

The new web-site can be viewed at www.barclaycard.co.uk/students.

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About Barclaycard (http://www.barclaycard.co.uk/ )

Barclaycard is a multi-brand credit card and loans business which also processes card payments for retailers and merchants and issues credit and charge cards to corporate customers and the UK Government.  It is one of Europe’s leading credit card businesses and has an increasing presence in the United States.

In the UK, Barclaycard comprises Barclaycard, Sky Card, Thomas Cook and Argos branded credit cards and FIRSTPLUS secured lending.  Barclaycard also manages card operations on behalf of Solution Personal Finance.

Outside the UK, Barclaycard provides credit cards in the United States, Germany, Spain, Italy, Portugal, India, the United Arab Emirates and Africa.  In the Nordic region, Barclaycard operates through Entercard, a joint venture with ForeningsSparbanken (Swedbank).

Barclaycard PR contact:
Andrew Bond
Barclaycard Press Office
Barclaycard
1234 Pavilion Drive
Northampton
NN4 7SG
http://www.barclaycard.co.uk/
01604 251229

Key facts:

9.6m UK card customers      
7.6m Barclaycard International cards in issue    
95,000 Barclaycard Business retailer/merchant relationships