Barclays Bank customers, who receive salaries through the bank's ordinary accounts, will save over Sh2500 on the bank charges each month if they join the new Salary Account, which it launched yesterday.

The bank charges a monthly ledger fee of about Sh3500 on its standard account compared to only Sh1000 for the new account, liability head William Mungai said.

"It is so good that I would ask the community to grasp the advantages associated with it," Mr Mungai said when briefing journalists on the new account in Dar es Salaam.

Transferring money from the Salary Account to a savings account within the bank will be free. The account holder will also be offered with a special debt card, deliberately designed to meet the requirements of the account.

To open the account, one requires a minimum opening balance of Sh30,000 only or evidence of an income in form of a pay slip or income declaration.

Mr Mungai said holders of the new account will also be offered some free services such as being alert by SMSs on salary credits and withdrawals.

The holders will also enjoy free water, electricity and Digital Satellite Television (DStv) bill payments.