Bank fails in free money giveaway

The bank wanted to know what engaged customers

A branch of Barclays Bank tried - and failed - to give away money to passers-by.

A sign in the window of a branch in Croydon, south London, offered a £5 note to anyone who stepped inside to collect it.

But bank officials say no-one took up the bargain because no one believed it.

The experiment, carried out for two hours one day in January, was to help Barclays understand "what engages customers as they walk past branches".

A spokeswoman for the bank said: "The basic conclusion that we came to was that people would much rather look at shops that are selling dresses than financial services.

"Obviously we are always looking for better ways to engage with our customers."

She stressed the experiment was a one-off.