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About Barclaycard Business

Our vision

"We will be the most admired card and lending business in the world."

Barclaycard Business provides total solutions for all your business's card payment and processing needs, nationwide and internationally, whether you're a smaller business, a Government department or a multinational enterprise.

We are the UK's leading issuer of corporate cards, with more than 142,000 business customers and over 500,000 individual cardholders worldwide.

We look after the processing and payment of over a third of Britain's retailers, and are expanding the services we already offer to our international customers.

A quality service

As a customer you will benefit from our specialist resources, which provide an effective and efficient service to your company and your staff. You'll have access to:

  • Specialist support staff - dedicated to helping the people in your business with their needs. We're here at the end of the phone to answer any of your technical or day-to-day questions.
  • Our experienced team of Sales and Relationship Managers - committed to helping larger businesses plan and manage a smooth and trouble-free implementation programme. Our team will work with you to define the most appropriate plan, and will then assist your own project team through each aspect of the implementation.
  • Our Management Information Service Team - responsible for evaluating and advising on management information requirements for larger businesses, and in some cases implementing the most appropriate solution for you.

Our teams are trained to respond to all types of enquiries and have the capacity to cover everything in-house. This allows us to keep tight control over the quality of our service and customer relationships.

In 1994, we were awarded ISO 9002, and in 1999 attained the Investors in People (IIP) Award. These awards recognise our commitment to quality, staff training and ongoing development.

Our history

In 1966 a separate business unit was established by Barclays Bank plc and entered the payments market by signing up 30,000 retailers for the launch of Barclaycard. The service enabled business customers to accept and process credit, debit and charge card transactions.

In 1969, another business unit was established, to develop and provide card-based financial services to corporate clients, allowing simple, cost-effective management of general business expenditure and releasing staff from expenses paperwork.

These two business units have now merged to become Barclaycard Business, VISA's largest European commercial card issuer, providing processing services for over a third of UK retailers in 2003.

Our attitude towards corporate social responsibility

As part of Barclays, Barclaycard Business is committed to contributing positively to the communities in which we live and work. Read our full reports

Barclaycard Business press releases

Read our latest Press Releases.
For any Barclaycard Business media enquiries please e-mail us.

Paying by card products

We are entirely dedicated to supporting businesses. Our specialist range of products enables you to benefit from:

  • Simple, cost-effective management of general business expenditure, as well as travel and entertainment spend and day-to-day staff expenses.
  • Significant benefits when transferring core back office spending activity on to Barclaycard Business.

Our accounts can provide your business with significant cost savings by streamlining business processes and freeing up staff time. We also provide valuable management information that will help you manage relationships and spend across your company more effectively.

A range of added-value services are available with each card. For example, travel insurances and negotiated discounts offers, all designed to support your business even further.

As a member of Visa, our cards are accepted at more than 1 million outlets in the UK and 24 million worldwide. No other card is accepted in more places.

To ensure our service is appropriate for a wide range of companies, we offer a portfolio to suit different needs. This allows us to tailor our services more closely to your requirements.

  • Credit card account ideal for owners and managers of small businesses with an annual sales turnover of up to £500,000. The account comes with a whole range of services and offers a choice of credit or charge based payment options.
  • Corporate card account for companies with an annual sales turnover of more than £500,000, with flexible services for corporate customers who may be travelling in the course of their business.
  • Lodge account designed for businesses that spend more than £1 million a year on travel, especially on air travel. Businesses that are looking to consolidate and negotiate better rates by using financial and travel data will benefit most from this type of account.
  • Purchasing card excellent for companies with an annual sales turnover of £10 million or more. This is a powerful corporate procurement tool enabling detailed VAT analysis to be carried out by us on your behalf.
  • Multinational organisations designed for multinational clients needing a truly global payment solution. You will get dedicated support to implement your programme globally. We provide management information whilst your cardholders will benefit from local service to meet their needs.

Accepting cards

Accepting card payments gives you access to a much wider customer base, as you’ll attract people who prefer to pay by credit, debit or charge card. Accepting plastic offers you all these benefits:

  • Potential for increased profits, thanks to increased footfall and online sales opportunities.
  • Existing customers find it easier to spend more, as they're no longer limited by the amount of cash they have on them or their cheque guarantee limit.
  • Transactions are authorised instantly - no waiting for cheques to clear.
  • Improved cash flow - as the money is in your account within 3-4 working days* (faster than cheque payments).
  • Speed at the point of sale, thanks to our electronic PDQ terminals and ecommerce solutions.
  • Less back office administration - so your staff can spend their time more profitably.
  • Reduced cash handling for your staff - which means fewer opportunities for costly mistakes or staff dishonesty.

Whether you're just starting out, are a medium to larger organisation - or even if you are operating internationally - we will be able to support your business’s needs.

If you run a retailing business where you deal in person with customers we offer a range of specialist products to match your circumstances:

  • We can provide you with a straightforward processing terminals.
  • We also have solutions that can be integrated with your own software without the need for separate terminal equipment.
  • Portable solutions are available if you need to be able to take the terminal to your customer, eg at restaurants and bars, or for outlets where it isn’t possible for the customer to enter their PIN at the point of sale.
  • If you’re on the move, our mobile terminal allows you or your staff to accept card payments when you're away from your premises, eg taxi drivers, stall traders, delivery staff.

We also offer a range of products allowing you to trade over the internet, by mail or by phone with your customers: