First Direct Current Account - Opinions (Good & Bad)

TighterThanTwoCoatsOfPain

username wrote: »

Can't delete / amend people that you've paid electronically via wire transfer - you have wait for them to drop off your list, which if you pay people often under different references can be a bit annoying as you end up with a large list.

However if this really offends you, you can drop them a secure message or if you happen to mention if you phone them they can do it for you.

username wrote: »

If you are talking on the phone to the person at FD you cannot look at the account online at the same time, as their system can't appear to handle both viewing at once.

Unless you log in before they do and then you can both see... (although never tried navigating around - worth a try!)

eira

Was one of their first customers. Have stayed because of the superb genuine 24/7 call centre service and the internet banking.

But would agree with one of the previous posters- if a cloud comes accross your financial horizon 'credit services' will treat you like a criminal. 'Credit services' control the advertised 'fee free OD' (I was expected to pay £25 for a £100 OD); access to debit cards; and even opening a share account .

I gave up in the end and opened other accounts-now use FD for direct debits and transferring funds into daughters' accounts

If you have a smear free credit history they are v good-but be prepared for condecension at best if you fall on hard times (and my issues were caused by circumstances beyond my control)

MB13_2

I'm seriously considering opening their 1st Account but I'll have to transfer money into it every month to top up what I've managed to put into it. Does anyone have any idea how long I'd have to sustain the £1,500 minimum per month to avoid the fee? Is it just up to six months or until the account is closed?

agsnu

MB13 wrote: »

Does anyone have any idea how long I'd have to sustain the £1,500 minimum per month to avoid the fee? Is it just up to six months or until the account is closed?

See here - the section under "Banking Fee".

MB13_2

agsnu wrote: »

... - the section under "Banking Fee".

Thanks for that.

So according to that document I wouldn't be charged for the first six months if I didn't meet the minimum, but then I wouldn't qualify for the £100 after the first three months.

stephane_2

MB13 wrote: »

I'm seriously considering opening their 1st Account but I'll have to transfer money into it every month to top up what I've managed to put into it. Does anyone have any idea how long I'd have to sustain the £1,500 minimum per month to avoid the fee? Is it just up to six months or until the account is closed?

If you cannot pay in the minimum £1500 per month then the fee will kick in for as long as you have the account, unless you have one of their products (saving account) and if you do then they will waive the fee even if you don't pay in £1500. Be aware that credit scoring with FD is very harsh and you will need a perfect credit file.

mrmajika

TighterThanTwoCoatsOfPain wrote: »

However if this really offends you, you can drop them a secure message or if you happen to mention if you phone them they can do it for you.

I have several bill payments that could not be deleted by secure message or via telephone. Apparantly, there the system doesn't always allow them to be deleted.

The have put DO NOT USE in the reference fields for me for the ones that are now obsolete, and they will drop off after 13 months of inactivity.

Not an excellent online system by any means, but it does the job.

TighterThanTwoCoatsOfPain

hmmm they deleted mine with no issue at all... wonder what makes some different to others...

Perhaps worth a mention next time you speak..:-)

Derade

Regarding everyone stating that First Direct have very harsh credit scoring...

I'm recently 19 (so limited credit history) and have/had around 50 searches on my file when I applied for First Direct a month or two ago and was accepted with a £250 interest free overdraft.

I also applied for Barclays Bank Account but was declined...

eira

to my shame suggested my daughter (then 21) opened an account for the 24/7 service-useful if you travel a lot. As stated I have no extras at all-nothing. They gave her - a student- an account with a £500 Od. The account was fine but then the charges came-until they topped £500 the charges ate up the OD which she didn't use. She got billed for text banking which she didn't ask for -total nightmare. Every penny they allege she owes is bank charges. She has appealed but has had 2 page letters back saying basically that they are in the right


So beware-good if you're pristine but a nightmare once the cloud comes