I was talking with one of my postgrad students today, who mentioned that at the fresher's week, the international students had been 'given advice' on banking by Barclays. Looks like a lot of them decided to join up with them, on the international student account, which requires a £2,000 minimum, or a £5 _monthly_ charge. I'm maybe being cynical, and thinking that this kind of plan is designed to appeal to an international student, but they may regret it a few months later when their balance gets lower!
As it happens, the student (who is Irish) ended up applying for an account with another bank which doesn't charge. Am I right in thinking the Barclay's account is unnecessarily expensive, and assuming that other 'free' options are available?