I've been with First Direct for about 7 years now. I started banking with them when I finished Uni and have never thought about changing since. The best bit i sthe online banking, I never need to go to a branch and hardly ever need to call customer services. I do all my banking online, its just so convenient. Its so secure and easy to transfer money, pay bills, check balances etc. On the rare occasion thet I do need to call customer services I have found them extremely helpful and pleasant. They quickly and efficiently deal with my querries which shows excellent customer service. The wait on the line is also very short which is not something you get with many ...  Read the complete review

First Direct is a marvellous bank! I cannot understand how HSBC is so poor at service and so inefficient when First Direct is so fantastic and you can have someone to speak to in minutes! First Direct are owned by HSBC - I cannot believe it!. If HSBC were like First Direct - it may be the only bank in the world by now! First Direct are efficient, courteous and reasonable. I cannot fault them. Shouldn't say it but I'd even be prepared to pay for the service (as long as it was a small modest amount of say £50 or so a year) rather than lose those calm and courteous voices on the other end of the phone 24 hours a day 7 days a week. I went to visit my ...  Read the complete review

Since the age of sixteen I have dealt with; Natwest, Barclays, Llyods, Nationwide, The Post Office/NSI, Alliance and Leicester and First Direct who are by far and away the best. My recent dealings with Alliance and Liecester have made me realise just how good First Direct are. Don't get me wrong First Direct really don't have the best savings rates in general but in terms of customer service you could not get any better. Unfortunately we have all had to deal with call centre's at some time in our lives but for those who regularly deal with First Direct life is just that little bit nicer. There is no automated service when you call First Direct and the longest ...  Read the complete review

First Direct are probably the best out there in my eyes, a really modern fresh approach to banking. This is despite it being owned by a large group like HSBC which you would imagine them to be swallowed up in the massive HSBC group Most of their charges are the same as most banks but they do tend to take a more reasonable approach and look at each one on a case by case basis so their customer service is one of the best out there by far. They offer incentives of £100 to join up with them and also offer all the great services you would get from HSBC but better for you if you are not one who has the time to go into the branch, they do all their banking ...  Read the complete review

I'll do pretty much anything for a free buck, more so when its considerably more than that and so when First Direct offered me £100 for opening an account with them I did just that and better still they offered a further £100 if I closed the account within six months. Even better. Who can turn down an offer like that? Not me. One quick phone call later to a native English speaking telephone operator on a local rate number within the UK I liked them already. Forms arrived very quickly, were completed and sent on their merry way. The forms in question were relatively short but very comprehensive and included all the paperwork needed to transfer my wage via my employer and .  Read the complete review