The Barclaycard Initial is no longer available to new applicants. This page is kept as a record of what the card offered.

ClearScore is a credit broker, not a lender.

The Barclaycard Initial was a credit-builder card aimed at people looking for a first credit card or rebuilding a weak credit history. Barclaycard stopped issuing it to new customers in 2017.

Its defining feature was a reducing interest rate: cardholders who paid at least the minimum on time each month and stayed within their credit limit could see their rate fall by 5% over two years.

Cash withdrawals were charged at 34.9% APR variable regardless of currency, but interest was applied differently depending on where the cash was withdrawn. Withdrawals made abroad in a foreign currency received an interest-free period of up to 56 days, on the same basis as purchases — no interest was charged if the full balance was paid by the next due date. Sterling withdrawals received no interest-free period, with interest accruing immediately.

Barclaycard's current credit-builder card is the Barclaycard Forward, which serves the same part of the market.

Our Barclaycard Forward review covers its current rates, credit limits and eligibility criteria. For a wider comparison, our guide to credit cards for bad credit sets out what's currently available across the category.