Barclays has shown a significant improvement in their customer service when launching a new product. Can we expect them to improve the overall customer service or does it only apply if they benefit from it?

After years of disappointing customer service from the ISA department and numerous delays in the application process, Barclays has finally received the thumbs-up of many happy customers by getting their applications fulfilled within minutes instead of weeks. Last year Barclays had the capacity to process 3,000 online applications a day, but this year they could handle over 50,000.

Ranked as the top-pick by moneysupermarket.com, thisismoney.co.uk and other comparison sites, Barclay’s Golden Isa promised huge interest at the end of the tax year, and the improvement in the customer service is a pleasant surprise we certainly appreciate.

“The bank’s 3.61% tax-free cash Isa (which includes a 1% bonus for 12 months) is our current top-pick for depositing new Isa money, though you cannot transfer old Isas into it.” Says Guy Anker from MoneySavers.

The general review from customers buying and using Barclay’s products has clearly improved in 2009, but customers trying to liquidate their tax-free investments will still find it hard, and fastidious to cope with their IFA’s obstacles.

Barclays is not the only bank applying various tactics to prevent or delay the liquidation of tax-free investments, but we can only hope that after offering the best Cash ISA with a top class customer service, they improve the application process to liquidate an ISA as much as they’ve done it in the buying part.

“We at Barclays are committed to providing a high standard of customer service to you” is quoted on their customer feedback website, so we encourage you to share your complaint with Barclays to help them put in practice their commitment. One thing is for sure, they do listen. Who can complain to that?

If you are interested in contacting relevant departments to investment related services from Barclays:

Barclays Stockbrokers: 0845 777 6776
Monday – Friday: 8am-6pm
Saturday: 9am-1pm

Barclays Tax Free Savings: 0845 980 0645
Monday – Thursday: 8.30am-5pm
Friday: 8.30am-4.30pm