HSBC or First Direct

ajharris

I am very a satisfied HSBC customer, the sister bank which is First Direct seems to get good reviews. I would be interested to read reviews/opinions from anyone who has dealt with both banks. Is there much difference between them? If so what are the differences? Is there anything to gain by me changing? The only bad thing which I have heard about First direct is that their website is not that good.

never-in-doubt

ajharris wrote: »

I am very a satisfied HSBC customer, the sister bank which is First Direct seems to get good reviews. I would be interested to read reviews/opinions from anyone who has dealt with both banks. Is there much difference between them? If so what are the differences? Is there anything to gain by me changing? The only bad thing which I have heard about First direct is that their website is not that good.

First Direct is the leading bank in the UK and nearly always wins all the awards for best banking etc.....

It speaks for itself, if you get the account well done - they also score harder! Have a read here: First Direct

TMoose

ajharris wrote: »

I am very a satisfied HSBC customer, the sister bank which is First Direct seems to get good reviews. I would be interested to read reviews/opinions from anyone who has dealt with both banks. Is there much difference between them? If so what are the differences? Is there anything to gain by me changing? The only bad thing which I have heard about First direct is that their website is not that good.

If you are a satisfied customer why look to switch? The grass isn't always greener!

Having said that, FD are giving £100 to switch, and consistently get good customer service reviews - although their IB isn't as good as HSBC (or Halifax) in my opinion.

If you feel that £100 is worth the hassle & risk of switching to the unknown, go for it. Personally, I've gotten comfortable with HBOS, and they with me, so I'm staying put... for now.

Moose

pimento

...and their web site is OK.

heloid

HSBC is great but FD is better. You get the same branch services but fantastic phone support from FD (their internet banking isn't as good but good enough).
Switch to FD and keep the HSBC as a back up or an expense account like I do
You won't regret it (they give you another £100 if you do anyway...)

terafarma

ajharris wrote: »

I am very a satisfied HSBC customer, the sister bank which is First Direct seems to get good reviews. I would be interested to read reviews/opinions from anyone who has dealt with both banks. Is there much difference between them? If so what are the differences? Is there anything to gain by me changing? The only bad thing which I have heard about First direct is that their website is not that good.

FD have all you'll need in a bank. Unrivalled customer service, £250 interest free overdraft, £100 joining incentive. What more, if you are not happy with the good service they offer, they'll even give you another £100 in your quest for banking utopia elsewhere after six months.

I switched to them in April 2009 and honestly do not see myself leaving. I'm here to stay with FD.

Do keep your HSBC account as backup should things not work out to your expectations with FD, which I doubt very much from my brief sojourn with them so far.

Rich1976

to be honest i've not noticed much difference between them apart from First direct have uk call centres and HSBC doesn't. Yes the service from fd has always been good over the last 3 years i've held an account but to be honest when you ring them up to pay a bill etc how much can they get wrong? I am happy with fd but they play on this good reputation as an excuse to get away with appalling products. Their savings accounts can easily be beaten, the credit card was always advertised as offering discounts on things but usually on stuff i would never have and the mortgages only offer short term fixed rates. I also have accounts with Nationwide whcih in my opinion are generally as good on service and a wider variety of savings accounts.

TheEffect

I've recently switched to First Direct from HSBC, although I will keep my HSBC account. I am very happy with First Direct. They seem like a premier version of HSBC. You can use HSBC's branch services and have the premier call centre service and added features such as text banking (free).

First Directs internet banking is not as good as HSBC's, however it's more then acceptable. The only feature I miss is the 'Pending Transactions' feature.

Skeksis

Been with FD for 14 years, never had a problem, always been able to speak to a customer service agent on the phone within 3 rings!

SG_Guy

first direct's savings products are appalling: just take a look at their derisory interest rates. Yes, the customer service is generally good; however, it's just not good enough to sacrifice all that potential interest when you also consider that the 1st Account pays no interest and the incentive is only for when you switch and when you decide to leave after the first 6 months but before 12 months.
I actually e-mailed them to ask why their savings interest rates were so appalling and the answer I got was the usual spiel about how we (they) offer 'competitive products'! What a joke.

dtaylor84

SG_Guy wrote: »

first direct's savings products are appalling: just take a look at their derisory interest rates. Yes, the customer service is generally good; however, it's just not good enough to sacrifice all that potential interest when you also consider that the 1st Account pays no interest and the incentive is only for when you switch and when you decide to leave after the first 6 months but before 12 months.
I actually e-mailed them to ask why their savings interest rates were so appalling and the answer I got was the usual spiel about how we (they) offer 'competitive products'! What a joke.

Then don't use their savings products?