MBNA credit card can be activated online

The Internet has had a huge impact on the lives of most consumers, and being able to access goods and services online has improved convenience and ease for many people that prefer this channel to alternatives such as using the phone or having to go out to access various services.

It has now been revealed that credit card giant MBNA has tapped into the enthusiasm of consumers to be able to access services online wherever possible, and has taken action that will enable cardholders to activate their cards online, which will make things faster, easier, and more convenient for many people that have internet access.

This will be the first time that customers in UK and Ireland will have a choice of options when it comes to activating their MBNA credit cards even if they are new. Previously the cards could be activated online but only if they were replacement cards. However, this channel will now also be available to those that have new MBNA credit cards.

An official from the firm said that the majority of new accountholders actually applied for their credit cards online, and therefore it was only natural that these people would prefer to activate their cards online, access their accounts online, and manage their credit cards online.

Ian Craig, customer service and channel fulfilment executive for Bank of America Europe Card Services, said: “Our customers tell us they want more online options to service their accounts so it makes sense to open up online activation to everyone. The majority of our new accounts are applied for online; so, for many, it is the right channel to offer more. We’ve expanded the scope to activate our cards as it’s quite right that we offer them the freedom to service their account via their channel of choice.”

Tags: channel, accounts online, MBNA, america, online activation, Credit Cards, online, internet access

Will Barclays going to be taken over by Bank of America?

Speculation is rife over whether the Bank of America may be planning to put in a bid for the UK bank Barclays, which is a household name in banking in the UK. Analysts at Merrill Lynch have voiced suspicions that this bid seems imminent based on recent goings on and speculation. By market capitalization, Barclays is the third largest bank in the UK and the Bank of America the second largest in the world.

According to Merrill Lynch: “Bank of America has previously indicated that the next phase of its expansion is to become a leading global commercial and investment bank. In order to achieve that goal, we believe Bank of America is very interested in acquiring Barclays.” The analyst added: “We think Barclays is the perfect fit for Bank of America, given our understanding of Bank of America’s international aspirations.”

So far this appears to be simply speculation, and officials from Barclays and from he Bank of America have refused to make any comment regarding the situation. However, according to Merrill Lynch the recent resignation of the Chief Financial Officer at the Bank of America is a little suspicious: “While we believe de Molina resigned of his own accord to pursue a CEO role at another company, or a more entrepreneurial career, the timing of his resignation is suspect to us.”

Furthermore analysts predict that the takeover could save the Bank of America around one and a half billion pounds due to reduced corporate and staffing costs, as well as increasing chare prices to generate more in the way of profit. The analysts added: “Furthermore, we think the acquisition of Barclays would enhance Bank of America’s long-term growth rate because it would provide numerous avenues for Bank of America to continue to grow on an international scale.”

Tags: america, accounts, savings, bank of america, barclays