Which bank launched the first national credit card in the United Kingdom in 1966?

Barclays Bank launched Barclaycard, the first general-purpose credit card in the United Kingdom, in 1966.

The launch followed the rapid spread of payment cards in the United States. Barclays introduced Barclaycard to give customers a reusable method of paying at participating merchants rather than relying only on cash or checks.

The initial card was accepted by a limited network of retailers, including major department stores and petrol stations. Customers received monthly statements and could repay their balances, creating the revolving-credit model associated with modern credit cards.

Barclaycard is sometimes confused with the earlier charge cards issued by American companies, which generally required the full balance to be paid each month. It is also distinct from the BankAmericard launched in the United States in 1958, which later became Visa. Barclaycard helped establish card payments as a mainstream feature of British retail banking.