Barclays Banks North Down Borough Council

Barclays has completed the re-banking of North Down Borough Council, which will see the bank provide all cash management requirements to the local authority.

This is the second local council in Northern Ireland to switch providers to Barclays, after Belfast City Council moved to the bank earlier this year.

North Down Borough Council has over 5,000 transactions flowing through several accounts on an annual basis and anticipate considerable cost savings over the life-time of the contract with Barclays.

Barclays was successful in a recent competitive tendering process initiated by North Down Borough Council. Joanna McArdle, Director at Barclays, discusses:

“Winning this tender process shows that more and more local councils are committed to delivering increased efficiencies in their finance functions with our support. North Down Borough Council is the second local council to move all banking operations to Barclays in the last six months.

“In addition, we provide treasury services to a number of Northern Ireland’s largest public sector bodies including seven other councils. Changes in Northern Ireland legislation mean that local councils have more control over their own financial affairs and Barclays places special importance in ensuring our councils achieve optimal results in their financial management.

Joanna adds: “Barclays extensive knowledge and experience of working with local government across Northern Ireland and Great Britain allowed us to present a tender proposal which demonstrated real value for money for North Down Borough Council.”

North Down Borough Council employs over 450 staff, has 25 elected councillors and serves a population of over 80,000. The council is currently undertaking a number of capital investment projects including the construction of Bangor Aurora, a £38 million aquatic and leisure complex opening in March 2013; public realm works to promote town centre regeneration in both Holywood and Bangor and upgrades to the North Down Coastal Path to promote access for variety of users.

Commenting on the new banking arrangements Mayor of North Down, Councillor Wesley Irvine said:

“North Down Borough Council is committed to delivering efficiencies across all areas of business. Having reviewed the range of banking services available to us we selected Barclays due to both the flexibility and best value for money that could be achieved.

“We were understandably keen that a seamless and professional transition from our previous bank to Barclays took place and we are delighted that Barclays has delivered this with first class local support available at every stage of the process.”

In addition to Northern Ireland, Barclays has a relationship with over 70% of local councils in the UK.

About Barclays

Barclays is a major global financial services provider engaged in personal banking, credit cards, corporate and investment banking and wealth and investment management with an extensive international presence in Europe, the Americas, Africa and Asia.

With over 300 years of history and expertise in banking, Barclays operates in over 50 countries and employs approximately 140,000 people. Barclays moves, lends, invests and protects money for customers and clients worldwide.

For further information about Barclays, please visit our website www.barclays.com.