First Direct Reviews

I'd been with my previous bank since my University days and I was finally fed up with their poor customer service, ridiculous charges (especially when overseas or buying from overseas) and an excessive battle to get my charges refunded. A friend had experienced excellent customer service from First Direct and I'd heard good things ...  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 ...  Read the complete review

First Direct To be honest I am a bit of a 'tart' when it comes to financial products. I move to the latest deal as soon as possible to benefit. The main reason I moved to First Direct was for the £100 incentive alongside the £250 interest free overdraft which is a great offer. I was expecting to stay for a year and then move on but I do have ...  Read the complete review

First Direct is the telephone banking arm of HSBS (I think). It prides itself on being different. More than a bank, more of a statement on how banks should be run. I'll admit it, I only joined up for the £100 they offered for new customers. I had every intention of moving after the six months were up and getting another £100. You know ...  Read the complete review

We had been banking with HSBC for years - I think probably because it was one of the first banks to suspend charging - so this must be at least 25 years ago , and really didn't feel the need to change. However one of the conditions of our mortgage was that we had to take the bank account. We didn't need to switch everything over , but ...  Read the complete review

With a hectic lifestyle it had always been impossible for us to visit a bank. So when I saw a newspaper advert featuring First Direct the telephone banking service, I was more then willing to give it a go. It has been three years since then and I have never looked back. I don't have a single negative thing to say about this bank. First ...  Read the complete review

After moving banks 6 months ago to the Halifax I wasn't overly happy. I had heard good things about First Direct so looked at their website. They were offering (and still are) £100 for moving your account over to them and another £100 if you decide you're not happy with them and want to leave. This got me ...  Read the complete review

I want to begin by saying that I have banked with many banks over the years, and have not received good service from ANY of them. They have all been appalling. EXCEPT First Direct. I only switched to them to get the £100 free money they offered, but I have been so pleasantly surprised that I have actually then stayed with them. I ...  Read the complete review

You will not find any First Direct branches on the high street and this is because it is purely a telephone and internet based bank It has been in existence for about 15 years and so could be considered one of the pioneers in its area. At the time I became a customer, I don't think any of the other High Street banks offered this kind of ...  Read the complete review

I switched to First Direct two years ago just after I started a new job. I am very dissappointed the whole experience and feel first direct are confusing and difficult to work with, very keen to rip you off and frankly rubbish. Just a few of the problems I encountered: 1) FD debit cards have the longest number ...  Read the complete review

My dad introduced me to First Direct as he had been with them for a number of years and unlike so many banks these days, they provided him with an A-1 service. So, having had umpteen issues with various other High Street Banks, my husband and I decided to give them ago. That was about 4 years ago and I have never, ever had a problem ...  Read the complete review

I joined First direct in 1990 when they first started and have never regretted it. I primarily use it online, which has a very easy interface and one set up on your PC is secure. Telephone help is UK based (thank goodness!) and has always been first class. For long standing customers you get pro-active calls to ...  Read the complete review

First Direct is part of the HSBC group. It combines the best parts of HSBC (like being able to pay in money at a branch, their bank clearing facilities) and really good customer service. I used to bank with First Direct. I swapped because I could get a better rate of current account interest elsewhere, and the bank I switched to said it ...  Read the complete review

The competition for our banking business is not always as competitive as it should be, mainly because of customer inertia which results in many of us staying with the same bank. The main banks enjoy this as it helps them maintain market share. For many banks the current account is a loss leader, it provides little in the way of revenue provided ...  Read the complete review

One of the best things I ever did was switch my bank account from Abbey National to First Direct. The transfer process was easy. Once I had sbmitted all of my details on the application form a welcome pack was sent out and this contained a form to transfer my salary and another one to transfer any standing orders and direct debits. The ...  Read the complete review

After 10+ years still Excellent - Advantages: Courtious & friendly, Efficient, Clear Communications - Disadvantages: Low interest rates (but you get what you pay for)

Well it has been a long time since I last wrote a review. I just hope there are still a few people around who remember me; although I?m sure there will be many lovely new members here as well. Anyway, enough of my waffle? I?ll get on with what I am supposed to be writing about! ?FIRST DIRECT! first direct is an online ...  Read the complete review

I can't sing the praises of First Direct highly enough, and I can't recommend them fast enough. Back in 1996 I was reluctant to move my bank account from NatWest, as I had been banking with them for about 7 years; I thought it would be a hassle. But then NatWest changed the way I could get in contact with them (I couldn't call my ...  Read the complete review

First Direct are one of the most helpful banks I've ever had the pleasure of dealing with, they are quite ahppy to hel pyou out if you need it. Just recently we went overdrawn, I called FD, asked them if we could temporarily extend our overdraft, and it was done instantly. Just like the adverts say, I can call my bank any time, ask them to do ...  Read the complete review

I have been a customer of First Direct ever since they first began trading and I have had no cause for complaint so far. I originally transferred my account to First Direct for two reasons, firstly because they were offering interest on a current account and secondly because they offered to put £15 in the account to start me off. Well you ...  Read the complete review