First Direct - Opinions?

Grade_A_Reject

My only minor (if I was to be picky) gripe is the running balance on their online banking shows the running balance for each day rather than after each transaction. If you have lots of transactions on the same day this makes reconcilliation a bit trickier but other than that no complaints.

Their telephone service is unbelievable as previous posters have said calls are usually answered first ring.

Another good thing I've thought of ... £500 a day cash withdrawal at ATMs.

penrhyn

Been with then over 12 years, never a cross word, customer service always excellent.

Organic12

Must echo the FD praise above. I've just joined them and in the process of moving all my banking over, having taken up an offset mortgage with them.

I love that I get to speak to people who actually know their stuff and if they don't, they take the trouble to find out. They are immensely patient in answering questions too. Their specialist teams (eg. mortgage, banking transfer etc) tend to be available more than beyond the usual 9-5, so I can sort things out after work or at the weekend even.

When they messed something up one thing for me, they went all out to get me to a position as if no error had been made - that's better than any apology.

95% of the time I have no problem getting through even though I call at peak times. Otherwise, I have to wait in the queue but been answered within 5 mins, not the 20mins+ I have to endure with some other banks. There is no "press 1 for this, 2 for that, buckle your shoe for this etc.", just straight through to a person.

I had no problem being set up as a new customer. Cheque book, credit book, card etc all arrived promptly. When they needed original documents for the identity check, I went to my local HSBC branch who checked, photocopied, approved it and sent it off in their internal post for FD.

I'm seriously impressed by FD.

[Deleted User]

They're great. They had faster payments up & running before most, internet banking is good and the call centre is in the UK. You can pay in and collect bankers drafts at HSBC branches should you need to. The £250 free overdraft and free text messages mean I'm happy to receive no interest on my (admittedly low) balance.

[Deleted User]

Thanks for everyone's opinions, I'm suitably impressed that I've signed up. Just had a call saying that initial checks have gone through OK, my credit agreements have been sent to the printers and should go in the post tomorrow if not monday. Lovely stuff.

Thanks again, all.

johncolescarr

I was with FD for about 8 months. Took advantage of the £100 cash incentive. I must say no complaint about the service, however I didn't really need all the extra services they offer and decided to switch. I should have been eligible for the £100 if you leave after 6 months and before 12 months offer, but FD said that I didn't state a reason for leaving (which I did on the phone) and so didn't pay up

vet8

I have to disagree slightly.

They are O.K if you stay in credit. If you pay in less than £1500 a month (I think that is right) you are charged £10 monthly and if you go over your OD limit they hit you with HUGE fees. I think it is £30 for the first time and £25 after that. So good if you can manage your money well, not good if you struggle or hit a rough patch.

Excuse my uncertancies but it is my husband's account and I am not dead sure of the facts.

ixwood

They specialise in being nice. They're the customer service bank. You do pay for it with the rates generally though.

And, whilst I agree to how good/nice they are on the phone, they will still try to sell you extra products in a subtleish "I'm your mate, not a salesperson" kind of way.

One good thing about the offset mortgages is that is negates their pretty rubbish rates. Eg. If your current and saving accounts are offfset you effectively get the mortgage rate on them (tax free).

dnatsios

For the £1,500 a month that has to be paid in, are their any restrictions as to were or how this is from?

Anyone successfully claim £100 back for leaving after 6 months?

ShelfStacker_3

I'm actually in the process of opening an account with FD myself, so I can have a seperate spending account (they turned me down last year on the basis that I'd applied to them 6 months before). Going to also take out e-savings and/or a credit card with them as well to escape the £10 fee, because I have no ' intention of switching all my banking. The few times I've been in contact with them, though, I've been very impressed. Just a few little pointers on the finer points of the service though:

The HSBC branch service which I've seen a few people talk about is limited mainly to cash withdrawals and deposits, as well as the use of Express Banking machines which may be available. You can't sit down with anyone to discuss your account, we can't even order you a new paying-in book at the counter or transfer funds for you. The basic reason is that we're not First Direct, we're HSBC - the two, although linked, are seperate banks with their own procedures and protocol. If you need to discuss your account, you do it over the telephone if you're First Direct, no leeway given.

We also can't ID you in-branch by just your signature like we can if you're an HSBC customer, as First Direct customers don't get them put on file - if we look it up, we just get a blank space with "NO SIGNATURE", so you NEED ID (driver's license or passport) for withdrawals, regardless of amount.

First Direct customers have one distinct advantage over HSBC however, in that if you can't find your cheque book or ID the First Direct call centre can arrange a withdrawal with a specific branch on your behalf, and the HSBC branch concerned will sort out a withdrawal slip and such when you arrive. Nifty service, and one which sadly isn't available to HSBC's own customers (a shame, because it would solve a lot of common complaints!)

Also heard, through the MSE grapevine, that they'll send you a free real leather cheque book holder and whatnot if you ask them. I've not tested that. Ask at your own risk. All I know is that, again, HSBC customers don't get that (I should know, I got my branch's last cheque book holder... )