First Direct - Brilliant service!

jimbugalee

I realise this isn't the usual post but just thought I would say what excellent service I've had from First Direct as a current account customer for the past 6 months.

Any problems I've had I just ring them straight up (on a 0113 number .... no 0845 etc) and they've answered within a few rings asked a few security questions and been able to answer any questions I've had.

I rung today re life insurance (they are offering £100 cashback for new policies) and thought I may have to be transferred. The lady I spoke to immediately knew all about the product and was able to help. She then asked a few probing questions re if I wanted a credit card etc but it wasn't a hard sell and I explained I didn't need one right now. She also said she would send me a 'recommend a friend' form as I had recently recommended a friend and we were both entitled to cashback.

I found the whole conversation excellent and just thought I'd say how impressed I have been with them.

Maybe some people have had different experiences but having had dealings with HSBC and Barclays, First Direct are just miles ahead in terms of service. Hope other have similar experiences

Lady_E

I have to say I totally agree. We hae a joint account with them for the past 10 years and it is reassuring to know that if there is a problem they ill be in touch and that we can contact them 24/7. I like their friendly customer service and the fact that nothing is too much trouble. In comparison , I tried yesterday to close an old Abbey account and because it is in my maiden name I have to return to the branch with my marriage cert and my birth cert. The fact that there is nothing in the account and I had the bank card and cheque book and recent statement with me was irrelevant. Personally I have no problem in reccomending them as a good bank, and no I dont work for them! :j

415SanFran

Are they an insurance company.
I am looking for a saving account that makes it hard for me to access could they help with this?
Telephone banking would help me out as I would be too embarrassed to ring up and ask for 20 pounds, almost not worth the hassle, if you see what I mean, where with a book or a ATM card I would have no problem.

jimbugalee

I don't work for them either!

Not an insurance company SanFran. I don't have a savings account with FD as such - they give me one with the current account but I use it to seperate my money out rather than actually save!

I have a savings account with ING Direct which I find really hard to take money out of because I can never remember all the security questions!! Maybe that is the solution?!

Just looked on the FD website and this looks good as you can't take money out but you need a current acount:
Regular Saver Account - 5.00% AER fixed 5.00% gross p.a.

Get the habit - commit to save monthly for 12 months and benefit from a really great rate. Amounts from £25 up to the maximum monthly balance - no withdrawals permitted unless you close the account. Monthly payments must be paid from a 1st Account.

415SanFran

What? You can never withdraw?
I need savings but the idea was to put it away till I NEEDED it, say the washer broke, that way I do not need to use HP or a loan.

jimbugalee

I don't know - it's not entirely clear whether you can withdraw after 12 months or only if you close it. They have about 4 different savings accounts so prob best to look on their website

415SanFran

i will look on there web site thank you.
My trouble is I do not have a lot of money to put away some accounts are asking you to open the account with at least 1000 pounds I havent got that kind of money.
As I said I am looking to money away that I have left over but we are only talking about 25 a month and I may need some of that at some point.

heloid

First Direct don't offer any competitive savings accounts besides the regular saver (which even HSBC beats). Shame, I would switch my savings to them if they had something close to 3%.

stella2009

I have just joined First Direct and although my transfer is not happening until next week I have been extremely impressed with the communication and ease of setting the account up etc.

Hope all stays this way!!

jimbugalee

I didn't have any problem with the transfer. I think one direct debit got missed because the company not FD rejected it but FD refunded me the penalty fee I had to pay (£5) because the company thought I'd missed a payment. Very good.

basiaking

We have had a current account with First Direct for a couple of years now and can't recommend them highly enough. It is worth sacrificing the fact that they don't pay you any interest on your current account to get the high level of customer service they offer. It's so nice to have a "real person" pick up the phone after a few rings and to be able to speak to people who actually know what they are talking about for a change!