First Direct Current Account Reviews

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First Direct Current Account
★★★★☆
3.7
72.0% of users recommend this
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“I have been with First Direct for over 15 years and,...”

★★★★★

written by SusanH67 on 01/04/2009

I have been with First Direct for over 15 years and, unusually for me, I have no complaints. Customer service is excellent, and their charges are reasonable. I use internet banking mostly now, but it's nice to know that I have the back-up of the call center if needed.
In all my 15 years the bank have made one error - they apologised at once and it was sorted out immediately with no fuss.

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“It's hard to feel passionate about a Bank,...”

★★★★☆

written by kingofreviews on 01/04/2009

It's hard to feel passionate about a Bank, particularly now, and generally extreme emotion is reserved for the negative side of things, but so far (6 months) I have only got good things to say about First Direct's current account. Switched from Intelligent Finance and believe me the service is significantly better.
And I love their account aggregation service that with a single log on allows me to see balances for all accounts I hold, even if they aren't with HSBC/FD

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“I have been banking with First Direct for over 10...”

★★★★★

written by speakout on 26/02/2009

I have been banking with First Direct for over 10 years and was intiially drawn to them because of the 'no branch' philosphy. I was impressed with the service then because In my experience someone was always at the other end of the phone if needed and the call centre staff were polite and knowledgeable. 10 years on, I can honestly say that I am as impressed now as I was then and that is why I'm still with them. I don't use the call centre as I did back then as online banking has come on leaps and bounds. The online side is just as easy to use and I would recommened First Direct to anyone.

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“Been with First Direct for a number of years, sadly...”

★★★☆☆

written by gmck on 01/06/2008

Been with First Direct for a number of years, sadly their attitude has declined, never anyone available for specialist advice (eg mortgages) and promised call backs never materialise. O% interest on current accounts, long delays in answering calls and generally a bad attitude.

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“We are very impressed with FIrst Direct Bank. They...”

★★★★☆

written by tricianorton1 on 23/03/2008

We are very impressed with FIrst Direct Bank. They sorted out transfer very efficiently and despite a few hicups (which were sorted quickly) we are very happy. Plus they give you £100 to open your account !!!

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“Been with First Direct since they first set up and not...”

★★★★★

written by nt500 on 20/02/2008

Been with First Direct since they first set up and not once have I been let down. They have always delivered a good level of customer service and never have to wait long to speak to someone. They are a pro-active, forward thinking bank and have always been leading the field with new type of accounts and mortgages.

Their text message alerts are very useful and being able to use your local HSBC bank for deposits is very useful.

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“Been with First Direct for 13 years now and basically...”

★★★★★

written by on 11/02/2008

Been with First Direct for 13 years now and basically all I can say is simple to use and no problems. Thoroughly recommended.

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“I would recommend first direct in a heartbeat!!! I...”

★★★★☆

written by Deneshae on 24/12/2007

I would recommend first direct in a heartbeat!!! I have been with them 2 years and during this time I have successfully claimed back my bank charges, had them pay for a taxi home for me when their systems were down on a weekend and I couldn't get home as well as wire money to another one of my accounts and they covered the cost.

They are always ready to go the extra mile - even if it means they have to foot a minimal bill (a £12 Western Union charge or £40 black cab bill!) and will explain what they are doing as they do it. Having banked with Lloyds for over 10 years before switching everything to FD, the difference is VERY noticeable! I can see how they could be the most recommended bank.

My only gripe is the blooming Maestro card. As someone who travels to alot of developing countries for work - trying to find somewhere to use my card in Dhaka or Lagos wasn't easy.

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“I closed my account 2 days ago. I did not want to be...”

☆☆☆☆☆

written by XX on 17/11/2006

I closed my account 2 days ago. I did not want to be associated with a bank that trail-blazed charging. I remember they were the first bank started to give cash rewards if you switched to bank with them, now First Direct are also the first one to charge customers. Shame! I did not dislike banking with them.

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“I switched to First Direct after being fed up of not...”

★★★★★

written by Rachybaby1234 on 05/09/2006

I switched to First Direct after being fed up of not having a branch of NatWest in the country (I live in Northern Ireland) and having to wait five working days for money to be credited through a branch of the Ulsterbank. I saw First Direct's website and thought it sounded an excellent idea. I wasn't wrong - a simple online form and it came back to me the next day through the post, printed with the correct details. I just had to sign and that was it. Days later I received a welcome pack and a letter asking me which direct debits and standing orders I wanted to keep - I just telephoned First Direct and they organised everything for me! And so far, they haven't made a mistake. The call centre staff are friendly, helpful and humorous, and they make mundane banking chores a pleasure! They will joke and chat with you, and they make you feel like you really matter. I have even written to the MD of First Direct praising his call centre staff. They work all round the clock and every one I have spoken to is courteous, knowledgeable and, seem to genuinely enjoy working for them and believe in First Direct! The internet service is excellent as well - their Internet Banking Plus service, where you can access all your accounts online with different banks is brilliant! Well done First Direct, no wonder you claim to be the UK's most recommended bank.

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“You can call First Direct 24 hours a day and you get...”

★★★★★

written by ajk52 on 07/08/2006

You can call First Direct 24 hours a day and you get put straight through to an English speaking person. No ridiculous menus, and no Indian call centres.
My debit card was cloned and my identity was used to set up some direct debits with various people, and First Direct were very very helpful. Their fraud department is top notch, and they got my new card out to me in days.

They don't have any branches so you can't see anyone in person, but you can do a lot of things at HSBC branches anyway (like pick up new cards).

I think being able to get through to someone on the phone in a few seconds is what makes them stand out from other banks. I have never had any problems with them, and I would definitely recommend them.

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“I switched to a First Direct Current Account two years...”

☆☆☆☆☆

written by tastyle19 on 03/08/2006

I switched to a First Direct Current Account two years ago, just after I started a new job.

I am very disappointed with the whole experience, and I feel First Direct are confusing and difficult to work with, and frankly rubbish.

Just a few of the problems I encountered:

1) First Direct debit cards have the longest number EVER. 18 numbers vs. 12 on most cards.

2) Your account number is inconveniently hidden in the card number (not to be confused with a second card number, also written on the front of the card). It took me ages to work this out, and no-one ever explained it to me.

3) After hooking you with a £50 freebie, unless you specifically asked for it at the beginning, you are not entitled to any overdraft. I had to put down a deposit for a flat at this time, despite the fact I had a £1500 overdraft on the Barclays account I had just closed, First Direct refused me any overdraft. They did however cynically offer me a credit card instead. I would imagine this happens a lot.

4) I now have a large balance c. £2000. However, First Direct is inconveniently routinely rejected for no apparent reason. Probably something to do with the ridiculous card numbers.

5) You are not as welcome at HSBC branches as you would think. Every time you go there you have to telephone the First Direct call centre to get authorisation. This becomes a real drag, unless you happen to like call centres.

6) When you call the First Direct call centre. There are about 80 levels of security: passwords, mothers maiden names, memorable addresses etc, etc ad finitum. It is as if you were trying to get into Fort Knox. I have genuinely never experienced anything like it. And remember, if you EVER forget or get one of these codes slightly wrong, you enter call centre hell.

7) If you ever order a statement it takes AGES. They say 5 to 8 days, but don't count on it.

8) The internet banking, like everything else at First Direct is difficult to get used to and confusing. In fact, I believe it is worse than the system at Barclays, which was not exactly user friendly.

First Direct claim to be a modern efficient e-bank. In fact, it is a call centre masquerading as a bank. I do not rate the service! In fact, I think it is pretty poor, and I also found their practices very odd and difficult to get to grips with.

I can see no reason for moving to First Direct, as all banks now have an internet service. The only difference being, First Direct does not have a high street bank (although they could easily afford one given the amount of fees you pay), and if you naively think you are an HSBC customer like I did, you are wrong. You are about as welcome as a fart.

If you must take the plunge, make sure they give you an overdraft, because once they have their claws into you, your old account is but a memory, and if you do need an overdraft you will only have recourse to an FD credit card.

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James Rc's Response to tastyle19's Review

Written on: 23/04/2009

>> "First Direct claim to be a modern efficient e-bank. In fact, it is a call centre masquerading as a bank." <<
<br/>
<br/>That one sentence by tastyle19 is genius. It PERFECTLY sums up First Direct.
<br/>
<br/>They are all about the phone banking service, while their appalling on-line internet banking facility is left to fester, totally neglected.
<br/>
<br/>Someone should tell First Direct it's not the 1990's any more.

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“Bad points of bank charges outweigh any good points I...”

★★★☆☆

written by johnrholmes on 31/07/2006

Bad points of bank charges outweigh any good points I can think of.

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“First Direct are amazing! You get straight through to...”

★★★★★

written by sallyjb on 15/06/2006

First Direct are amazing! You get straight through to the service desk and they can always help you from transferring money abroad to more mundane every day banking matters to the unusual request! I had my purse stolen, and they not only cancelled my bank cards, but they rang my other card companies (unrelated to First Direct) to let them know too!
They are amazing as a bank.

A great way to bank. Easy painless and a UK based called centre to cap it all off.

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“The First Direct Current Account is easy to use when...”

★★★★★

written by wayo231 on 21/05/2006

The First Direct Current Account is easy to use when using the internet banking. They ask for an internet password (not case sensitive and different to the telephone password). No need to remember your father's dog's name and if it was capitalised or not.

When you ring them it goes directly to a human being in a UK call centre! They are also very friendly.

Excellent all round service.

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“I have been with First Direct for 6 months and found...”

★★★★★

written by foxview on 05/12/2005

I have been with First Direct for 6 months and found them excellent. The internet banking is very good and easy to understand, and when you telephone them you always get through to a real person.

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“I've had my First Direct Current Account for over 10...”

★★★★★

written by naw on 21/09/2004

I've had my First Direct Current Account for over 10 years. I have a couple of bank accounts with other banks and my partner and I have merged all our accounts together. Frankly I'm astonished at how awful the other banks call centers are compared to FD. The Halifax (now HBoS) is an incredible example of incompetance.
FD can make immediate decisions, they show flexibility and 9/10 times you're speaking to a real person within 3 rings. None of this awful "Call (avoidance) Center" Press 1 for this, Press 2 for that nonsense either.

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“I moved to First Direct a few months ago when my...”

★★★★★

written by lesleymark on 28/01/2004

I moved to First Direct a few months ago when my previous bank decided to withdraw free overdrafts. So far, I've been very impressed. They handled the transfer of direct debits, standing orders, etc very smoothly. Call Centre staff have been very helpful. So far, I'm delighted!

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