The FINANCIAL -- Barclays Bank PLC 1 today publishes customer complaint numbers for the second half of 2011 (1 July to 31 December) which show the bank has substantially driven down volumes by addressing the root causes of complaints.

According to the Barclays Bank, In the Banking category there has been a 31 per cent reduction in complaint volumes for the full year 2011 compared to 2010. Figures for the second half of the year at 146,316 are also down 10 per cent versus the first half figure of 162,611 recognising continued momentum in reducing complaints.

The figures demonstrate that Barclays focus on putting the customer at the heart of our business is gaining traction with significant and sustainable reductions in complaint volumes. Barclays acknowledges that complaint volumes are still too high and we will continue to address complaints at root cause. Barclays is aiming to deliver further significant reductions in the first half of 2012.

The most significant exception to the overall progress we are making to reduce complaints is in the General Insurance and Pure Protection category, of which the majority of complaints are related to Payment Protection Insurance. Excluding these complaints overall volumes of complaints are down 29 per cent in 2011 compared to 2010. Complaints for the second half of 2011 at 158,492 are also down 11 per cent compared to the first half figure of 177,871.

Complaint volumes are just one measure of customer service and satisfaction. Looking at other measures other than FSA Reportable Complaints also show positive improvements in customer service. Barclays UK customer satisfaction ranking has risen from eleventh in 2007, to fourth. Internal surveys also show branch and telephony satisfaction scores hit their highest levels ever in 2011 at 92 per cent and 82 per cent respectively.

Related Stories

• Western Union Completes Acquisition of the French Operations of Travelex Global Business Payments
• Modernisation of Moldova’s energy infrastructure
• Deutsche Bank enhances Agency Securities Lending in Asia