First Direct Current Account - Opinions (Good & Bad)

savysaverbrett

onlypaddy wrote: »

their process for crediting my bonus was fine. but as far as i know, it has to be directly from a salary to qualify.

im starting to get mystified by people saying they are just going to take FD for their £200. if it was any other bank I would understand and probably be doing it myself, but FD are so far ahead in customer service I'd rather get into a bath with 2 samoan rugby players than leave them just for £100!

ha ha, fair enough, I may even feel the same way, but I currently bank with lloyds, just a bog standard classic account, never had any problems with them. so I certainly have no cause to leave them other than the opportunity to gain £200

I have some savings, which I was hoping to use as I fall a bit short of the required £1500, considering the halifax £5 a month offer as well, but same rules probably apply

johncolescarr

I would recommend First Direct to anyone who wants a good quality current account. In my opinion it suits the full time working person who cannot get to the bank during normal business hours.

For most people who don't keep large sums in their current account for the whole month (ie you pay bills and put money into savings soon after pay day), the nil interest rate is not really much of a loss. Lets say your average balance is £500 a month, this would only equate to £20 interest a year after tax! there are easier ways to save £20.

Being able to ring and sort out problems at any time is great, so it the quick resolution to any problems, being able to pay in checks via post and the full £10,000 faster payment limit (unlike A&L, grrr), just excellent.

I have tried, Natwest, Halifax, HSBC, A&L and Abbey as well, so I have some experience!

Also, some of their other products are often market leaders, their Cash e-ISA is often a best buy and they offer great mortgages.

savysaverbrett

cant I join up, leave and then join up again 6-12months later. That way I get me £200 and a great bank account !!!

pimento

premierfella wrote: »

In FDs case that is unlikely to work - I believe they do a manual check to confirm that the conditions for the £100/£200 are met and are very likely to query whether the £1500 credits are "income".

I love First Direct too. The only thing they tripped up on with me is that I am paid twice a month (15th and last day) and half my salary is slightly under the £1500 required (although the whole month's amount is way over the requirement).

I had to call and explain that the £1500 would be going into my account in two parts because that's how I was paid by my employer.

Once I'd explained, they were great and sorted it out straightaway.

I've been with them for about three years and I have never paid for text banking.

apt

savysaverbrett wrote: »

cant I join up, leave and then join up again 6-12months later. That way I get me £200 and a great bank account !!!

You could try, but you would probably be declined if you reapplied. If you like FD it makes more sense to stay. The £250 interest free overdraft and offers like the 5% Regular Saver would earn you more than £100 within a few years.

mrmajika

apt wrote: »

You could try, but you would probably be declined if you reapplied. If you like FD it makes more sense to stay.

I don't believe this would be true. You wouldn't be eligible for the introductory offer, but I doubt they'd decline you for the account. Unless you know otherwise....

eira

Both my daughter and I were billed for txt banking-this was some time ago but it definitely appeared as a charge

[Deleted User]

mrmajika wrote: »

I don't believe this would be true. You wouldn't be eligible for the introductory offer, but I doubt they'd decline you for the account. Unless you know otherwise....

I just re-applied for First Direct and got accepted, for what it's worth.

HardSpend

I take it everyone received their £100 no problem for opening the account?

what about the £100 for leaving, that sounds more problematic but nobody seems to leave them so nobody mentions it! anyone confirm they received it without any probs?

stephane_2

HardSpend wrote: »

I take it everyone received their £100 no problem for opening the account?

what about the £100 for leaving, that sounds more problematic but nobody seems to leave them so nobody mentions it! anyone confirm they received it without any probs?

Once the account is open, then as long as £1500 goes in for 3 months, you'll get the £100, no problems. Don't think that you will get another £100 just like that for leaving them. You'll need to prove that they have done something wrong for you to justify moving your account to another bank