First Direct - PRAISE

GreyPilgrim

Took advantage of their "Switch accounts and get £100" offer a couple of months ago.

Account opened, all direct debits switched without any problems, £100 hit my account a couple of weeks ago. Customer service SPOT ON so far - to be fair it's only been minor queries I've had, but the guys on the phone actually sound cheerful and helpful and don't give the impression that you're being a nuisance and having the nerve to bother them.

Good show all round!

MoneySavingNovice

I have had a similar experience switching in January.

I am also very impressed with first direct including there switching service - I can't actually think how they could have improved this aspect.

The only down side that I can see is that the internet banking is a little old fashioned - but seen to work fine

brightonman123

so log as you are n credit, its easy (essentially free) money to them, with current rates of interest..

just wait til you need services, or help with o/draft fees- they can escalate v quickly!

had had no prons so far, with my Natwest Step (basic) a/c.. only gripe was hassle getting a PIN sorted..

MoneySavingNovice

brightonman123 wrote: »

so log as you are n credit, its easy (essentially free) money to them, with current rates of interest..

True of any bank

just wait til you need services, or help with o/draft fees- they can escalate v quickly!

Again True of any bank - but I agree that the First Direct account would not the best for some-one who want's / needs to go overdrawn

abbd962

I have a quick question with regards to the 1st Account. I've been putting £1500 in each month and after a month got my £100 bonus (nice :-D ). But at the end of this month the final £1500 payment goes out and I obviously want to leave to get my other £100 bonus. Can I just give them an excuse that I want my £100 or should I create some inventive reason to sound genuine (e.g. you didn't send me enough marketing info?!?!) yea its a rubbish reason I know and something I'm glad they didn't but they really are a PERFECT bank! I really would stay with them if they ddnt offer me the extra £100!

I'm just wondering because it said on their website "£100 if you don't like us (subject to conditions)" but I don't know what these 'conditions' are referring too. And yes I did use the easy switch service.

Thanks for any advice!

OnTheUp_2-2

I have been with first direct for about 8 years and have been 100% happy with the service I have received :-)

Ladyhawk

Me too... definitely would recommend First Direct.

miss_lisalou

Me too, joined them around 2001 and they've been the best customer-focused bank I've experienced. Lovely staff in their call centre who aren't in a rush to get you off the line or try and sell you something. Quick responses to queries by email. The best!

scooter_chick

I agree - FD are amazing! A couple of years ago I had the misfortune to have my purse stolen. As a good MSE'r, I have shopped around for my various credit cards etc., so had a mountain of people to call to cancel then. FD were the first ones I called, as I actually KNOW their number.

The guy on the other end of the phone actually offered to give me the phone numbers of all the other people I needed call. Where he had details of my other credit cards (from paying them via FD) he gave me those card numbers as well.

Just that little bit of extra effort on his part turned a horrible, distressing experience into something that was much easier to deal with.

Especially as it was midnight & I was standing on a pavement in the middle of London's West End!

Thanks FD! :T:T:T

Maldives_lover

I've been with FD for about 4 years ago now, switched from Alliance & Leicester after 15 years because their customer service was rubbish. FD are the best, great customer service, always speak to someone direct without having to key in all my information first, staff always friendly, can't be beaten in my opinion

Murdina

been with them since they pretty much started with telephone banking - have had 2 mortgages set up by them with absolutely minimal hassle - have had no problems with unexpected charges - have always been given a small overdraft no problem - got a gold card when others would not give me a card at all because I was not working - as to internet banking system being old fashioned, I find it very user friendly compared to my other forays into that area.

They also have staff based in the UK who are easy to understand. Would that my other credit card provider would grasp that accents are an issue when using staff from overseas.