Lenders scrap for top 0% balance transfer credit card honours

Halifax, Bank of Scotland, Lloyds and Barclaycard launch top new offers.

Competition in the 0% balance transfer credit card market is heating up once again, with Barclaycard fighting back against new deals from Halifax, Bank of Scotland and Lloyds Bank.

On Thursday Halifax, Bank of Scotland and Lloyds each came out with new 35-month 0% credit cards.

The most competitive was the 35-month deal launched by Halifax as it offered a 2.8% fee on balance transfers, compared to 3% from the Bank of Scotland and Lloyds cards.

However, the next day Barclaycard responded by extending the 0% deals on its two of its cards offering the longest interest-free periods. Let's take a look at how the best buy table now looks.

Credit card	0% period on balance transfers	Balance transfer fee	Cost of transferring £2,000 balance	Representative APR
Barclaycard 36-Month Platinum Visa	36 months	2.99%	£59.80	18.9%
Virgin Money Balance Transfer Credit Card	36 months	3.49%	£69.80	18.9%
Barclaycard 35-Month Platinum Visa	35 months	2.79%	£55.80	18.9%
Halifax 35-Month Balance Transfer Credit Card	35 months	2.8%	£56	18.9%
Lloyds Bank Platinum 35-Month Balance Transfer Credit Card	35 months	3%	£60	18.9%
Bank of Scotland Platinum 35-Month Balance Transfer Credit Card	35 months	3%	£60	18.9%
Tesco Bank Clubcard 34-Month Balance Transfer Credit Card	34 months	2.90%	£58	18.9%
HSBC Credit Card	34 months	3.3%	£66	18.9%

Compare longer lasting 0% balance transfer credit cards

Cheaper balance transfers

If you think you can cope with a shorter 0% period in order to clear your debt, you can enjoy a smaller balance transfer fee or even a fee-free deal.

Credit card	0% period on balance transfers	Balance transfer fee	Fee paid on £2,000 transfer	Representative APR after 0% period ends
Santander 123 Credit Card*	23 months	None	£0	16.5%
Santander Credit Card	15 months	None	£0	18.9%
Halifax 0% Balance Transfer Fee Offer MasterCard	13 months	None	£0	18.9%
Tesco Clubcard with No Balance Transfer Fee	12 months	None	£0	18.9%
Nationwide Select Low Balance Transfer Fee Credit Card**	15 months	0.25%	£5	15.9%
Nationwide Low Balance Transfer Fee Credit Card	15 months	0.35%	£7	17.9%
Post Office Platinum Credit Card	18 months	0.79%	£15.80	17.8%
Halifax All in One Credit Card	19 months	1%	£20	18.9%
Virgin Money Balance Transfer Credit Card	26 months	1.25%	£25	18.9%
Bank of Scotland Platinum Balance Transfer Credit Card	28 months	1.50%	£30	18.9%
Halifax Platinum Balance Transfer Credit Card	28 months	1.50%	£30	18.9%
Lloyds Bank Platinum Balance Transfer Credit Card	28 months	1.50%	£30	18.9%

* £24 annual fee

**Nationwide current account customers only

Compare cheaper 0% balance transfer credit cards

More on banking and borrowing:

The cheapest personal loans

The best 0% money transfer credit cards

Clydesdale and Yorkshire Banks relaunch £150 switching offer