written by KobeMcCormick on 02/08/2015
Been a customer for over 7 years now and very happy with their service. Have a current account with them and all works well, there are real people on the phone when you call them and they are actually willing to help. Had an issue with a remortgage a couple of years ago and they quickly offered me £15k as a loan and I had the money in my account 20 minutes later. Mortgage and savings accounts are not very competitive though, so have them with other banks.
written by BrockMoran301 on 12/02/2015
First Direct are always reliable at providing good service, answer the phone quickly and always able to help. Am considering moving all my bank bank accounts to them.
written by bexsy on 25/09/2014
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.
written by on 02/09/2014
About time I said how happy I am with this bank. Very simple easy to transfer money and friendly staff based in the UK.
written by on 02/09/2014
About time I said how happy I am with this bank. Very simple easy to transfer money and friendly staff based in the UK.
written by Averye1989 on 03/08/2014
I have always had great service from them.
written by on 29/06/2013
I have had an account for over twenty years and throughout that time I have experienced excellent service almost throughout. Not perfect, but so much better for most of the time than it might be reasonable to expect. I would have no problem recommending First Direct to any friend of member of my family. There is an incentive scheme for people who make referrals, but I am receiving nothing for writing this review! For most of the time I have had an account I have used the online service, though in the early years it was the telephone service that I used. Both means of approach have been excellent, with the telephone service being particularly helpful when I needed it. Their telephone operators are excellent, unlike other organisations I have had the misfortune to have to deal. If any of First Direct's telephone operators from the last twenty years are reading here I salute and congratulate you! Here is to the next twenty years - I hope it is as good!
written by mcmatt on 09/04/2013
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.
written by ken.webb on 10/03/2013
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.
written by on 13/04/2012
I have held a 1st account with First Direct for 6 months and I received a £100 incentive within a month of switching from HSBC. I agree with the review below - at last there is a bank with decent, courteous and helpful customer service. The best feature of First Direct is that you call up and straight away get through to an adviser. For other banks you have to enter anything up to 3 different security numbers (how the elderly use telephone banking is beyond me). Internet banking is exceptionally straightforward and I have had no issues here either. You don't even need a secure token to log on. The regular saver is very flexible with a good interest rate. If you can't afford to put in the full £300 one month you can reduce the amount at any time and I have contributed as little as £50 to my regular saver. I highly recommend First Direct, which in my view scores a full 10/10. I would score Santander 1/10 and HSBC 7/10.
written by dennispj on 12/04/2012
Been with these guys for quite a while. They have won loads of awards so you shouldn't have any concerns about banking with them. Telephone is always picked up near instantly and they are very helpful. Shame they don't offer Buy To Let mortgages. Keep it up First Direct!
written by apkirkby on 11/02/2012
Customer service is second to none. All calls are answered within seconds, no holding in queues and then getting put through to an overseas call centre. If they can't help you immediately they will take contact details and WILL call you back when they say they will. The call centre staff will take personal ownership of requests and follow up with calls, sometimes weeks later if requested, to ensure that everything has been completed to your satisfaction. I've dealt with first direct on hundreds of occasions and they have always impressed with their customer service - I joined them in their first year of opening... Thank you first direct.
written by knitandswim on 24/01/2012
I have always had my personal account with First Direct, since I was 18 (which is quite a while now). They always impress me. When you ring up, you are never on hold for ages, you go straight through to a UK call centre, to a human being. They are always helpful and none of these recoreded messages that I tend to not listen to the first time and have to replay. Reently I rang up about using my debit card abroad and they were so helpful and put me through to their travel department. I would never move to another bank, you can call them day or night. Brilliant.
written by Dani28 on 12/01/2012
I would love to go back to first direct,I got into financial problems & they were fantastic & gave advice & were really helpful! All the other banks like Lloyds tsb were only interested in getting money from me & offered no advice or help. First direct deserves a medal for their customer service! Excellent bank
written by gwengrant on 15/11/2011
Having just moaned about another bank, I realised that I should praise First Direct. In about 13 years of using them, they have always given excellent service, whether by phone or internet. I've used them for current account, mortgage, loans, and savings and have always found the service to be customer oriented and friendly. Highly recommend them.
written by on 12/04/2011
I've just slatted my old bank Citibank on this site (my first internet review!) so though it was only fair to sing the praises of my new bank, first direct. I've been using them as my main accont for the last year and they are great. Great customer service, UK call centre with no voice response system, friendly capable staff. Highly recommended.
written by on 21/06/2010
First Direct are superb. They offer a consistent service which I cannot fault. The contact centre is open 24/7. Some departments such as personal lending etc are only available during the day.
When you call, you are connected to a person in the UK, so no menus or irritating options to choose from. The call opening starts with a standard security process. Once this is completed your requests will be dealt with efficiently.
I have been with First Direct for over 10 years and they have slipped up a couple of times but nothing serious, and things are resolved quickly and efficiently.
written by Zen James on 17/05/2010
First Direct Current Account
I love First Direct. I used to be with HSBC, whose service was dire due to going through far too comprehensive security checks - SEVERAL times, for the simplest of queries only to be put through to someone at a call centre abroad - who I was rarely able to understand, never mind help me with any queries simply. Communication was awful through poor English accents and a lack of understand how our banking system works here in the UK. Furthermore, HSBC's rates and fees are excessive and unfair (I feel) for their services. I won't be going back.
With First Direct I always speak with someone from the UK, who I can understand. Their security is realistic and their customer service representatives are usually able to help with a minimal of fuss or lengthy time wasting over the phone. Any problems you have, such as going over the agreed overdraft, you can call First Direct and they will offer solutions. For example they have arranged to text me when I get close to an amount, which I choose, that is reaching the limit of my overdraft, and this service is free and helpful.
I still find it hard to believe they are the same 'mother' company but so entirely different at the same time.
written by myederts2 on 23/04/2010
We have banked with First Direct since it was launched in 1989 and we have been delighted with the service. We joined because it was difficult for us to get to one of the branches and as we were HSBC (Midland then) it was made very easy for us to change. Using the telephone was easy and we didn't miss going into the bank at all. When it came online it was even easier. Everyone is efficient and helpful and we have had no problems at all.
written by on 31/01/2010
In my many years as a customer I have never had any cause for complaint.Also I find the share dealing service excellent : when I made an error they were quick to phone the broker and correct it over the phone. The phone bank service does phone you back promply if you have a query and the secure message system works well : you do get an answer the next day.
Overall, very pleased with the bank, and surprised to read of some bad experiences here.
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As rated by our community of reviewers
Reginaldo's Comment
Written on: 22/08/2013
This is not 1st direct I know...it takes ages to get past their silly security, and then they are hopeless and when I closed my account was on phone for three hours!,