I have had a FD account for about 15 years and since then i have seen some changes to the way they operate. I am only leaving on the regards that i do not need the account anymore and as you DONT EARN INTEREST on the account it is pointless keeping it open. I have requested to close the said account more than once and all i get is aggro over security questions and the information is wrong etc etc. They are not as good overall as they think they are and i would suggest to find an bank account / bank that is more reliable !!!

I pay £0 for banking, and I have the use of an overdraft, really simple to use, easy switching service, access at any time any computer, excellent customer support when you call, always speak to someone from uk!I think they could improve a little like being able to nick name accounts, can get a bit confusing if you have several. £100 for switching...I'd say worth it, previous bank kept increasing charges so I ended up paying £20 or more /month for same service, now I get it all for free.

Wish someone had told me about this so called bank! Took out current accounts for my wife and myself....took ages to set up and reams of paper and pamphlets. Security process when telephoning was laughable...I never seemed to get it right....but was it just me? Paying in £1500 per month was a pain and my wife decided it was not worth the effort and tried to close her account. She wrote a letter,they phoned, and it took three hours to close. They immediately denied her Internet access, so when they transferred her monies to HSBC she could not check the amount or recent transactions. They also omitted to transfer the direct debits, and when she rang they said they held no details and to contact HSBC. They had no details either. Back to first direct and Lo, they found the details and said they had just cancelled them! Now she is setting up new DDs and will have to pay direct herself due to the delay. She was refused the £100 service guarantee payment due to one months payment in of only £1000, not the £1500! As soon as I transfer my ISA I will close my account also. Steer well clear of this shambles, they are not as good at service as they profess to be, not by a long chalk!

I've been with first direct for a few years now. Find them to be good customer service, well trained staff and answer within at least 3 years. I have to say, better than some banks. In addition to this, Online banking system is easy to use and customer friendly. Whenever i have requested an overdraft or a bit of information on new accounts, they all know there stuff so this is good. Negatives include there mortgage process is lengthy and they are very very tight on lending. I went through a good 1 hour phone call to be interrogated about my finances to then hear it was a no. They could clearly see the funds in my account, but it seemed like they didn't trust me. it wasn't good enough and they were looking for more re-assurance i could afford the down payment (even though it was in my account already). I would recommend this to someone require 24/7 easy access. but not if you;re looking for a mortgage or good interest rates.

I joined First Direct a few years ago, with the offer of £100 free to join, and another £100 if I left within a year. I never bothered to collect the second £100, as they have provided consistently excellent service. The main benefit - when you call up to discuss your account, you get straight through to a human being with a brain. No computerised menus or moronic scripts - and so far they have fixed issues quickly and fairly. Thoroughly recommended.

Use them every day, rarely hear from them and they rarely hear from me, perfect! I joined them from Lloyds Tsb about 10 years ago and use their internet banking. Everything has always run as smooth as silk. If I ever have had the need to call them, maybe 4/6 times, they have always been helpful and quick to advise. They actually called me a week or so ago and checked some transactions that had appeared, seems someone had tried using my account details to obtain a pay day loan! New debit card appeared 3 days later and nothing erroneous showed on my account! Would recommend them wholeheartedly.

If you like being treated like an utter muppet, then I would highly recommend 1st Direct. I have banked with them since 1996, but not anymore. My experience of late has been the pits and I have closed my account due to the insulting and patronizing way I was treated as a so called loyal customer. I wanted to try them for a car loan as they more competitive than the car dealer...Big mistake, I was experienced to a 40 mins phone interrogation by some half- wit picking over ever area of my finances. All for 7k! The car was worth 3 times that. Ironic as they gave me a First Direct credit card with a limit of 7k without one single question about my finances.... Anyway after a stupefying 40 mins of being treated like a dummy, justifying why I thought I could afford £300 a month, my loan was reluctantly authorized... Get lost 1st Direct. You’d think after 16 yrs of loyal banking, never being over-drawn and depositing £100,000s

One day I was a valued customer the next day they closed my account with no explanation. I didn't overdraw and had a very generouse salary going into the account? Ohh yes they closed it a day before pay day and left me totally stranded. BE WARNED they appear nice but they make up their own rules as I go along.

I switched from Lloyds TSB to First Direct years ago, and have been delighted with their service ever since. They are prompt, helpful and courteous. This should be the norm, but it's like the sighting of a rare animal in the banking sector, so I felt compelled to report it. Definitely worth the switch! The only drawback is that you have to credit so much into your bank account every month to get it for free. If you can afford to do that, it's totally worth it!