First Direct - Opinions?

jennyd1975

Yep I agree that they are the best bank I have ever had..

To be honest I never really look at interest rates so they maybe more expensive and yes I did cop a load of charges once when I hit a rough financial patch.. in all fairness whenever i called and asked for a temporary extension on my overdraft they obliged which was much cheaper than copping their fees.

The best bit that I like about them is that I do practically EVERYTHING on the internet, send them messages, order cards, get fees refunded, arrange overdrafts and rarely have to go through patronising, embarassing telephone calls, or face to face meetings which I hate and is what you suffer with other banks. The other benefit it that it allows me to do my banking 24 hours a day which has been great when I go overseas!

I have internet banking plus downloaded with them also which allows me to check all my other accounts, bills, loyaly card, emails, airmiles etc with just one log in - Bloody Fantastic!!

ShelfStacker_3

The_Money_Saver wrote: »

Also - does anyone know whether First Direct allow customers to have two current accounts?

I think they do. Worst you could do is call up and ask them.

nearlyrich

I am a fan too been with them since 1992 never needed to get stroppy having changed bank 4 times in the previous 10 years that is a good thing LOL.

I have had phone calls when seemingly dodgy transactions were going on, like when Tesco credit card attached my DD instruction to pay the full balance to an account that had £7000 outstanding.

I love their internet banking plus it's so easy to use and gives you a lot of information. There are real nice people available 24/7 on 365 days a year and I hvae never not been sorted on call one.

I have a leather cheque book cover and card case and statement file but I no longer get paper statements and I don't use a cheque book anymore.

ShelfStacker_3

I just called them up now, to see if the application was all OK - app form was sent off yesterday, first class. Got through to someone who said "Oh, we've just received your application today, I'll just get all your accounts set up right now." And so he did. Right that bloody second. I have the sort code and account number in my hand right this very second.

To put it mildly, I'm f*cking impressed.

brookerbabyisababy

Shelfy - I know you haven't had the cards and cheque book sent through as yet. But do you think the account opening process for HSBC Plus was better or the same?

ShelfStacker_3

I can't speak about opening a Plus account from nothing, because I upgraded to it, nor about HSBC's online applications because the account was opened in-branch. So I couldn't really give a fair comparison.

mitchec1

I'm another happy FD customer who after 13 years of great service.

I've contracted round the world and nothing's been to much trouble for them from a simple thing as phoning me back, or sending a card out abroad to arranging with another bank 200 miles from the nearest HSBC bank for me to pick up money over the counter.

They've done this without any issues while mates have struggled to even talk to their bank or get them to help.

[Deleted User]

Bluebirds1975 wrote: »

Told me over the phone I had passed credit/security and no id was required and that the account had a £500 o/d and credit card for £6900.

I got £500 overdraft but only £1600 credit card... but I'll never use over that

willo65

Love first direct, I work at another bank but prefer to bank with FD, Customer service is second to none. :money:

ShelfStacker_3

About 10 minutes after the post above, I made another call - got telephone banking and Internet banking set up nicely, as well as a tenner popped over to my HSBC account so I had some cash on hand until payday. Friendly, efficient and all done very quickly. Got a £500 OD as well as a £500 CC (neither of which I intend to use), which is bizarre seeing as HSBC won't lend me anything at all. Also requested the cheque book/credit card holders. All in all, I'm liking it.