Top Bank Accounts Discussion Area

Seeing a few messages regarding first direct, I thought I'd add my experience.
I applied online to switch but after a week had received no response, they said I'd hear within 48hrs. I phoned first direct and was told I'd be put to the top of the queue and someone would phone me back. They phoned the next day and asked me the same questions I had already supplied via the online application. I then received an email asking for some form of identification. The list was comprehensive and not easy to provide. The easiest was a HMRC tax coding notice but it had to be within the last three months, which I didn't have but I had one from last year. I phoned them to ask if this was acceptable and was told no. Other criteria required documents certified and signed by a solicitor. This I felt was not the Easyswitch process they advertised. I would either have to phone HMRC to ask for a current tax coding notification or arrange to see a solicitor, which I suspect would not be free. Both these options would require some degree of hassle. Firstdirect is an offshoot of HSBC who I've banked with for over 40 years but it seems this also counts for nothing.
Easyswitch I think not. I gave up in frustration. If this is the hassle people have to go through to switch bank accounts no wonder so few people bother.