First Direct current account

onlypaddy

LongTermLurker wrote: »

I've sent several messages recently and have had a response the next day each yime. My only gripe is they don't email you to tell you they've replied, so you have to remember to check.

I sent one this morning, had a reply in 12 minutes :eek:

Morn

Recently switched from HSBC to FD. Had no issues with HSBC but liked the idea of being able to speak with people instantly and also the link to HSBC and the good reviews in general made me think it was worth a go.

2 months in I have been given superb service when I have had any queries, also have noq received the £100 joining bonus after paying in £1500+ salary in the first month. All in all they have been superb, however I also had issues with some DD transfers but this was easily resolved if a little annoying. I know someone who used the easy switch service but when they write to you asking you to confirm the DD's you want transferred just ring them and ask them to switch a single DD on your behalf, you then do the rest and keep an eye on the one they are doing. This way you meet the terms for the £100 leaving bonus should you need to leave.

Give them a go, I'm glad i did

Minxy_Bella

I've been with them for years - maybe 14?? - and have never had a problem. They're strict about unauthorised borrowing, naturally, which is good for me as it keeps me in check! But I'm not scared to talk to them like I was with other banks - which is a major thing for me!

happihorse

Thanks for all the replies - looks like I will be moving then!

Loughton_Monkey

Some banks you hate!

Other banks you can be happy with.

First Direct is a bank you can only be passionate about.

Tell me another bank that would do this for you:

1. Phone you in advance if a debit is about to make you overdrawn, and offer to move money from another account to cover it?

2. When you make a 'stupid' mistake, like move money from a savings account that penalises withdrawals, and phone them to explain your mistake and ask them to reverse it, they explain that 'sorry, they physically cannot do it' [Their system is 100% strict about it and could not even be over-ridden by the MD!]. BUT they will help you by (a) moving out the rest of the money into a slightly lower paying 'no restriction' account, (b) set up (against normal rules) a replacement high-interest/restrictive account at the earliest possible time - next day, so you can move all the money back into it to earn the high interest again, and (c) Fund the new account with a £30 'compensation' payment that not only covers the 'lost' interest for a few days, but you actually make a profit out of it.

3. When setting up a DD with a certain Irish Credit Card company who keep getting it wrong, and ultimately, after months, explain that it is definitely not their fault, First Direct happily did their own audit trail and gave me chapter and verse (ammunition) to tell the Irish bank exactly what they were doing wrong.

Fairzo

Been with FD for nearly a year and very happy. As with some posts above it was necessary to contact some DD beneficiaries directly to confirm the transfer. I wouldn't assume this was a fault of FD though. Two of mine, after first claiming they had not received any communication from FD, then found they had. So I'm more inclined to think it is a problem with the beneficiary administration. No great problem to sort it out though, and ultimately worth the effort.

Mr_Thrifty

Stop! Collaborate and Listen. FD is very good.

[Deleted User]

Mr_Thrifty wrote: »

Stop!

Hammer time!

But seriously, FD is great.

MoneySavingNovice

Loughton_Monkey wrote: »

Some banks you hate!

Other banks you can be happy with.

First Direct is a bank you can only be passionate about.

Tell me another bank that would do this for you:

1. Phone you in advance if a debit is about to make you overdrawn, and offer to move money from another account to cover it?

2. When you make a 'stupid' mistake, like move money from a savings account that penalises withdrawals, and phone them to explain your mistake and ask them to reverse it, they explain that 'sorry, they physically cannot do it' [Their system is 100% strict about it and could not even be over-ridden by the MD!]. BUT they will help you by (a) moving out the rest of the money into a slightly lower paying 'no restriction' account, (b) set up (against normal rules) a replacement high-interest/restrictive account at the earliest possible time - next day, so you can move all the money back into it to earn the high interest again, and (c) Fund the new account with a £30 'compensation' payment that not only covers the 'lost' interest for a few days, but you actually make a profit out of it.

3. When setting up a DD with a certain Irish Credit Card company who keep getting it wrong, and ultimately, after months, explain that it is definitely not their fault, First Direct happily did their own audit trail and gave me chapter and verse (ammunition) to tell the Irish bank exactly what they were doing wrong.

Not exactly the same .... but I found Smile to would do the above as well.

Red_Ant

I've just closed my First Direct account, and found that as soon as you start having problems or indicating you are planning to close your account they take a different approach to Customer Service. Each time I spoke to them they'd present me with another hurdle I had to clear before I could close the account, and although I stressed I wasn't happy being drip-fed with what I needed to do to close the account, each call revealed a new challenge / constraint / issue.

I finally managed to close my account today, even if it meant losing 8 months of interest on an account as I was so desparate to break free.

I feel a huge weight has been lifted from my shoulders - and am so much happier with my Lloyds Vantage Accounts.