Barclays has launched a first of its kind cloud-based contingency payment service banking access channel in order to boost its commitment to corporate clients.

This new service will allow Barclays corporate customers to gain access to an additional channel for managing payments should they be unable to access their primary channel. This can happen for a number of reasons including the primary user being unavailable, if a security token is lost or damaged, or when the client experiences an internet outage. Clients will be also be able to initiate payments via a laptop separate to their primary infrastructure via the new Contingency Payment Access solution.

The additional channel is intended to act as part of clients' contingency plans, and will be available continually alongside their primary corporate banking channels. With no UK bank having attempted to overcome the issues presented by contingency planning, beyond offering a fax service, it comes as no surprise that Barclays is at the forefront, when it comes to offering this service.

Speaking about this new corporate banking service, Michael Mueller - managing director, head of cash management at Barclays Corporate Banking says: "Our clients want to have certainty that they will be able to manage cash and make payments whenever and wherever they need to, and we are constantly looking to design new innovative services around their needs. Through this new partnership with AccessPay, Barclays can uniquely offer a new seamless service to clients which is even more convenient, flexible and resilient."