firstdirect.co.uk Reviews

Just joined after getting fed up with shoddy treatment at A&L.

Here's a comparison, based on my experience:

To get through to a grumpy, rude individual at A&L involves 5 to 10 minutes of options, security numbers, awful depressing music, PINS, automated lectures about how seriously they take 'customer security' blah blah blah.

To get through to a polite, approachable professional at FD takes ONE RING. Just ONE RING.

I think that says it all, really. I've been with A&L for about 18 years, but I would have left them much sooner had I realised that there are other banks out there, like FD, who still believe in great customer service.

I have been with First Direct for some years and have been v. pleased with them. Especially their phone service - no `press 1 or 2 etc.
Only once has something gone wrong - separated from my husband we continue to have a joint account but when he changed his address mine was changed to his in error. My statements went to his address. Luckily no harm was done and situation rectified immediately.

First Direct is they type of bank that you will want to stay at, for starters they offer you £50 for switching your account to theirs. Once signed up their website provides an easy to use interface which is very secure; something that we all appreciate in this day and age. They Offer: free day-to-day banking automatic ...

first direct - first class - Advantages: 24 hour banking - friendly, obliging and intuitive operators, efficient, dedicated service, great rates, products and accessibility - Disadvantages: none (seriously!), no regrets

Joining First Direct was the biggest mistake I ever made. I opened an account with them after leaving university and when I had very little disposable income. They did, as they do with evey new customer, give me a £500 overdraft. This is not out of generosity, I can assure you. I was often close to the limit and they charged me any chance ...

First Direct is the best bank I've ever used giving exceptional customer service. I've been with First Direct for a few years now and I can't say a bad word against them. I'm not easy to please generally but I've even called them to thank them for excellent service which I never do! They are innovative and ...

I joined First Direct towards the end of 1999. Their origins were as a telephone bank, but they have graduated to online internet banking, the telephone service however is still going strong. First Direct is part of the HSBC group, and their banks allow First Direct depositing and withdrawals of cash or cheques. I have a cheque account ...

I had just bought a new car, the majority of the money came from a great loan company called Granny Loves Me Inc who offered me several thousand with little interest and no real re-payment terms. Of course this loan was pretty exclusive but I needed an acount to put money aside and just keep it there until the time came to pay the money back. Now ...

Our first bank switch, and rather a brave one considering the "novelty" of online and telephone banking. But after a two-year relationship it is still going strong!! Excellent service, no loans "hard selling", just prompt accurate banking and a supremely informative text banking system so nothing gets out of ...

I was attracted to First Direct because of the £25 offer they had. I went all the way and applied for the account. I almost signed up for it when I noticed that the account demanded that you keep £1k in the account at all times, or paid £1k into it every month. NOT GOOD! I complained to First Direct and they offered me another ...

Firstdirect bank are excellent in my opinion.My experience of them (which is many),is of highly trained,competant staff who actually do care for their customers.Unlike the dealings I have had in other high street banks.On a daily basis I receive text messages on my mobile phone,informing me of any transactions within my account or simply the ...

I opened a First Direct bank account, because I was attracted to the Free 25 offer. It took me 5 mins to apply online (very fast), then after a bit of paper work the account was open. Logging in and using the account is very simple. Help desk support are very friendly, and I like the txt messaging service. However 25 pounds took some ...

I have been with first direct for over six years now. Over the course of this time I have had times when I got myself a little over my head, at which point they would step in and offer an overdraft, a credit card or a loan at the drop of a hat. Likewise their online services are quite acceptable, except that they recently went from running ...

Absolutely faultless in every way! - Advantages: Intelligent, Accessible, Reasonable - Disadvantages: None

Recommend highly - Advantages: Good Security, Easy display, Phone banking - Disadvantages: Poor interest rates

I have been with First Direct for three and a half years, and I must say their customer service and range of products has been brilliant. Although there was a frustrating long wait in the early days while First Direct set up their Internet Banking service, the facility is now running smoothly, and offers me access to my latest balance and ...

I opened an account with First Direct about 2 years ago - a joint account with my live-in girlfriend. They were excellent - a £500 overdraft, low charges, and fantastic service regardless of what time you called. The cherry on the cake came when we broke up. This was in November, and we had two joint accounts at this point, both with ...

10yrs + as a customer - Advantages: available 24hrs a day, top bank to deal with - Disadvantages: dull stationary

Overall, first direct bank is above average but it is let down by its Visa department employees who seem to think it is their right to make life difficult for you. I remarked to one of their bank operators: "The rest of you are very nice but your Visa department staff seem very 'up' themselves" Silence. She ...

-BEGINNING- Having joined First Direct back in 1996 shortly after leaving Uni (and my dodgy Student Bank Account) I was most please with the whole set-up. From initial contact to opening the account to the transfer of all existing direct debits and standing orders. Even back then they were the best at transferring your account which can make ...