Avoid First Direct - They are gonna charge all customers £10!

EagerLearner

CopperPlate wrote:

Ooooh you rebel! Just think, that could've been two months worth of bank fees... :rolleyes:

Ah yes, but the post above suggests I did the right thing - IF it's true, WE WINNNNNN!!!! :j :beer: :j

CopperPlate_2

Well, the thing is they are not likely to announce it in the press that they even thought about it now are they? So wherever the rumour came from it may just die a death and prove those who said FD or any other bank for that matter, would never introduce charges. If the above is true, I'm glad. It would've spoiled a decent bank.

trplumbing

i heard from the fd mole that the plan is only being delayed by a couple of weeks at the moment - however perhaps the scrapping will happen. they are doing a massive recruitment drive too, maybe before the storm?

I hope Im wrong, and that it really is scrapped however.

CopperPlate_2

They do seem to be pushing quite a lot at the moment, and I've kept an eye on their site for changes to the "free day to day banking" that they are advertising...

munki_3

Anyone else had an update (from secret moles) on the FD charge???

trets77

rang them up and was about to get the standard "brainstorm" answer from the nice girl until i stopped her and read it for her off this site :rolleyes: bless not her fault is it working for greedy greedy faceless suites

she got a customer support manager to call me and who said they could not say they never will charge but would be given plenty of notice.

bah the simple fact is i will stay with them as their excellent service stands probably for ever and continue recommending them to friends and such. fantasic service yes but i ain,t paying £120 quid for it

i will not hesitate not for one moment to dump them if they bring this charge in.
HSBC already make a obscene amount of profit they won,t be adding to it with my £120

Nationwide will be next bank account if and when they send this letter i have the applicaton already filled in undated waiting in my draw

i do believe HSBC have used this forum as a test the water for this plan.

one or two very suspicious posts in this thread that seem to be pushing the charging agenda. hope you have your answer.

such a shame why ruin the reputation of the only bank that people actually like and praise for a few extra quid to already massive profits. Mercedes tried this a few years back and have lost a lot of their customers as a result.

if you lose me and then change your mind FD i won,t change mine and come back without a massive sweetner

YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!!!!!!!!;)

munki_3

I agree suppose we should see what happens over next few weeks. I know I wont be making any quick decision to move my account as I have no issues with the customer service they give compared to some banks I have dealt with previously.

To say HSBC own FD its amazing how different the customer service is

Anyways only time will tell.....

trets77

i,m reminded of a very good quote at the end of a very good film about this.

"What got broken here does not go back together"

at least thats how it will be if HSBC try to wring the FD customers for this charge. they should keep that in mind as should all the excellent FD staff who read these posts to tell the HSBC fools that thought this idea up.

how much is enough HSBC. is the trouble that earning 15 billion in profits means your expected to keep finding new ways to make even more?

i doubt first direct ever set out to be the biggest profitable bank just the best. well why not be happy with that cause thats what you have in the UK now.

MattyNeth

Just phoned them up to ask them if they were charging and saying I'd cancel if they did. Nice lady said "We are constantly brainstorming for new ideas, and at present we have no plans to charge, so no need to cancel your account."

Waiting to see what A&L do with this 6% current linked with linkerd 12% regular saver, but planning to open up current account with A&L and move £501 a month from FD on payday for a 12month period. If First Direct do make the jump to charging all move everything lock stock and barrel and close my account with them.

Shame if they do as have had 8 great years with them, after a diabolical period with Lloyds (whom I would NEVER go back to). Great call centres, and superb internet banking - their only problem being owned by the monstrous HSBC

EagerLearner

Same here MattyNeth - I am also planning to move to A&L as soon as I hear. Much better rates and excellent referral scheme. I will move my sole account but keep the joint account right up until the FD charge comes in.

I have been with FD for 7 years and this is the first time they have really made me consider leaving and removing all my products from them.