How fussy are First Direct about current account applicants?

7sefton

Hi,

I've got a decent credit score and have had no problems getting credit cards and overdrafts with other banks. I'm thinking of switching to FD purely to get their £100 bonus, then switch away again. But I'm wondering how fussy they are about applicants: as long as I can fulfil the £1500 monthly credit, will they mind if I have other accounts elsewhere, only earn about £12000 a year, and am a student? I don't want to go through the effort of applying only to get rejected.

onlypaddy

by reputation, FD are one of the more difficult banks to get an account with....

and if you switch to FD successfully, i have a suspicion you wont want to switch away again in a hurry

vaporate

onlypaddy wrote: »

by reputation, FD are one of the more difficult banks to get an account with....

and if you switch to FD successfully, i have a suspicion you wont want to switch away again in a hurry

Why? I never really hear much about them. Maybe they have satisfied clients lol

onlypaddy

exactly, you dont hear many complaints....

feedback that does come through is nearly always positive....no computers when you call up and all UK call centres is a big factor

vaporate

onlypaddy wrote: »

exactly, you dont hear many complaints....

feedback that does come through is nearly always positive....no computers when you call up and all UK call centres is a big factor

Rare treat indeed. Glad Natwest have this too.

aloise

you won't switch back

heloid

^^^^^ what he said. If you are with HSBC it is a lot easier to switch (assuming it was well maintained). I got a FD account after only being in the country for one year.

jfke

I did their online application using easyswitch from my Santander current account on Monday. Received an email later that day stating that my application form is in the post for me to sign and return where final checks will then be made. I'm assuming they're yet to credit check me, I'm hoping this will go through fine but my limited credit history in the UK is proving a bit of a hurdle with some financial institutions. Co-op knock me back with admirable consistency whereas Halifax and Tesco Credit Card took me in.