Credit card issuer in Gibraltar?

[garcia93]

Hi,

Barclays have written to me to say they are pulling out of Gibraltar. Has anyone else had this? Anyone know the reason why? What are the alternatives?

[Guernsey Globetrotter]

Hi @garcia93 – they have sent similar letters in Guernsey but have subsequently assured existing cardholders that their accounts will not be closed. It just means that they will not be issuing new cards to Gib residents (nor indeed those in the Channel Islands and Isle of Man). This is as a result of the ring-fencing of the UK bank, which happened sometime ago but has taken a while to shake-down…

[Guernsey Globetrotter]

Also, to answer your final question – alternatives are few and far between if Gib’s situation mirrors the CI. We do not have access to Barclaycard nor Amex products. I don’t know about Virgin but suspect the same issue will apply. HSBC Premier still issues its points earning cards to the islands as far as I’m aware, although things like the bonuses on transfers to avios last year didn’t seem to work for me… I’d suggest not cancelling any cards that you hold already!!

[GibFlyer]

I had the same letter, also my current account will be closed too. 🙁

I managed to get the Platinum Credit Card and British airways American Express in Gibraltar so it’s not all bad news. I’ve referred a few people to Amex Gibraltar and pulling the right strings seems to work.

[RakeshChablani]

Hi -can you please let me know how you managed to obtain an Amex platinum card in Gibraltar – I have tried but it does not seem to allow me due to it being Gib as country of residence. Happy to use your referral code too!

Thanks

[NorthernLass]

I know very little about banking – it seems very odd to me that credit card issuers would not want to have their products in places where there’s an awful lot of money sloshing about!

[memesweeper]

NorthernLass wrote:

I know very little about banking – it seems very odd to me that credit card issuers would not want to have their products in places where there’s an awful lot of money sloshing about!

sadly there are not an awful lot of people sloshing about in these territories. however, they are ex-UK, so presumably the interchange cap doesn’t apply? surely an enterprising company could launch a product from CI/IoM/Gib?