How to get to your first trade at Barclays as of February 2024?
Reading time: 6 minutes
We know that opening a brokerage account is a huge step, and it might not be your main expertise just yet. But it is ours, as we have opened accounts with over a hundred brokers and analyzed them based on more than 40,000 data points. We are here to help you! So let's jump right in! Registering at Barclays takes only a few minutes and your future self will appreciate the foresight!
To give you a brief summary: Barclays is a UK-based bank. Barclays Smart Investor is the brokerage service provided by Barclays and regulated by the top-tier FCA.
I've thoroughly tested Barclays services with our analyst team by opening a real-money account and these are my most important findings:
- Signing up just takes 15 minutes on average, while the approval of your account could take >3 days
- You will need to prove your identity and residency with documents. Some examples:
- Proof of identity: passport / driver's license
Proof of residency: bank statement / utility bill
- Proof of identity: passport / driver's license
- Barclays is a reliable broker regulated by a top-tier regulator
- Visit Barclays's site and start registering now!
First, let's see if Barclays is available in your country?
How to get a verified trading account at Barclays?
First you need to fill a registration form to apply for an account. Your application needs time to be verified [>3 days] after which you can deposit and start trading.
Barclays account opening step-by-step guide
- Go to Barclays's website to start the account opening process.
- Follow the account opening process: it is self-evident, but you might need help at some point. Don't worry, we cover the main issues here.
Which Barclays account to choose?
If you want to explore the possibilities offered by this broker, you will need to choose an account type, and for that, you should consider how experienced you are in trading and investing.
We have more details about the available account types in our review for you to explore.
Which base currency to choose?
Barclays has 1 base currency available, which is GBP.
You might have to pay a conversion fee if:
- You trade with assets not in GBP
- You make a deposit in a different currency other than GBP
Once you have filled the form, uploaded your documents, chose your account type, base currency and finished the trading survey, Barclays will verify your account very shortly.
Why do I need to fill the trading experience survey?
It might seem scary at first, but it is nothing to worry about. This is standard procedure, as brokers need to make sure that you have a basic financial knowledge and you are aware of the risks of trading.
Also don't worry if the broker asks questions about your financial background e.g. your available assets, salary range. This is also part of the risk assesment process - to make sure you don't take on investments and trades you can't afford.
How to deposit and start trading at Barclays?
To do your first trade, you have to fund your account. Generally, brokers offer a Bank transfer / ACH / Credit or debit card / E-wallet transfer solution.
Is there a minimum deposit at Barclays?
Luckily, no. You can deposit to Barclays, without having to do a large commitment.
Also, if you feel like this service is not your cup of tea: no worries. You can opt out and withdraw your funds anytime.
If you received your verification email, you are good to go to fund your account and start investing!
Here's how to start after funding your account:
- First, check the products on the platform. You can also search for assets using its search tool,
- Here, you'll see a list of assets by certain categories, like asset classes,
- Click/tap on an asset to see its chart,
- After this step, it is easy to specify the transaction size, order types, and terms.
Is Barclays safe?
Yes, Barclays can be considered a legit broker, as it is regulated by at least one top-tier regulator, which is a great sign for reliability.
For you, this means that your money is in good hands and you will most probably not become a victim of a scam by Barclays.
Throughout the account opening process at Barclays, you won't be required to pay anything to create your account. Also, you can close your account anytime you like.
Every time you are planning to dive into finances, make sure you know who you trust your money with. Make sure that the broker is considered trustworthy. We, at BrokerChooser, only recommend regulated brokers on our site, meaning the broker's operations are overseen by a trusted body.
Wrap-up
You are awesome for having read through this article! Opening an account might seem cumbersome at first, but the best time to start dealing with your finances is always right now.
We want to help you along the way, so if you are stuck somewhere, have a question, or a suggestion, please drop a message on our Forum..
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