Access (credit card)'s Slogans & Taglines

Access was a British and Irish credit card brand used by three of the big four banks in the United Kingdom, plus a couple of other banks between 1972 and 1996. Launched on 23 October 1972 by a consortium comprising National Westminster Bank, Midland Bank, Lloyds Bank, and later Royal Bank of Scotland/Williams and Glyn's Group, the brand was created as a direct rival to Barclaycard, which had enjoyed a monopoly on the UK credit card market since 1966. The Joint Credit Card Company operated the scheme, which participated in the Eurocard/Mastercard systems from the outset, enabling cardholders to use their cards across Europe from 1973 and worldwide from 1975. The brand was marketed with the memorable slogan "It takes the waiting out of wanting" and became widely known as "Your flexible friend" through iconic advertising campaigns. In 1996, the Access name was retired after being fully absorbed into Mastercard, ending its 24-year presence on the UK high street.