Barclays strategy is to offer its customers as many routes as possible for doing their banking. While the bank continues to recognise that some people prefer face-to-face contact, a lot of exciting work has been done on electronic means of access.

	Mobile working Good for the customer, good for Barclays
	Barclays corporate customers are served by 1,200 relationship managers. In 2000, Barclays was the first high street bank to equip all its managers with new technology, which means that rather than being tied to their office they can spend more time with their customers making flexible working a reality. ‘Barclays in a briefcase’ comprises a laptop computer with internet access to all the data and software that managers need for dealing with their customers. Now they can improve service by visiting customers on their own premises and get to know them that much better.
			Thanks to his mobile office, Relationship Manager Richard Lowe (right) can spend more time on his customers' premises. Here he talks to Geoffrey Smith, Finance Director of the Bank Restaurant Group, in one of the company's restaurants.