Trusted and efficient 6yrs exp. (firstdirect.co.uk)

Member Name: bikerchris

Product:	firstdirect.co.uk
Date:	28/10/01 (91 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Reliable, Efficent, Quick answering phone

Disadvantages: NONE

I have been with First Direct for around 6 years and in that time I have never been treated unfairly nor waited ages to speak to someone.

ANSWERING PHONE: In the time I've been with them, only twice had it rung for long enough to hear the "Please be patient,etc etc" voice message.

HUMAN FACTOR: One the occasion when they were wrong they acted accordingly/swiftly and did not depend upon the "wonderful" computer to make the decisions. This occured once when I went over my £250 overdraft by £2 and the master computer charged me £37.50 for the privelage. I rang them up and was put on hold for around 2 minutes, I was informed a full refund is happening as we speak. Wicked.

LENIENCY: They have also increased my overdraft in the tough times (now over thankfully) without too much fuss.

LOAN RATES: These are very good and match many others, MBNA, etc. Example: I got £3000 out at 10.9%.

CARD APPEARANCE: Current & Visa cards are plain Black and don't have stupid fish or seashells on them. The savers cashpoint card is strangely white though?

INTERNET BANKING: Something that improves every now and then, but very good, very simple. No Razamatazz, just easy to use and you don't have to wait to see images of stupid people you don't want to see. Well done. Not much you can't do, only text message notification is not adjustable on internet banking, but is on PC banking (requires program download). Note that the latter is slower by quite a bit.

HANDY OPTIONS: Text message of bank balances and 6 transactions, many useful options extend to VISA card which means you can catch fraud. Bloody excellent idea, and you don't need a new phone to do it.

OVERALL: In my next life I'd bank with them again. It's a brilliant way to bank in this day and age where the grindstone doesn't stop grinding at lunchtime.

First Direct offer a convenient service for those who
live in the country and have little access to a bank or small town. Obviously, most people have to visit the bank if they get paid by cheque, but I simply enclose it and a paying-in slip in an envelope and post it at night when it's convenient for ME.

BUT I'VE HEARD: Some friends older than me dealt with them many years ago when FD started up, and were appauled at the service they received. BUT THINGS HAVE MOVED ON FOR SURE!!!

Updated: 05/11/01AM

Summary: