First Direct Customers - Staying or going?

seven-day-weekend

Changed to another bank

How about people who are on benefits and can't afford an extra £10 a month, let alone take out a mortgage, loan, insurance product or credit card? How are they going to manage?

Spud_2

Thinking about changing bank

I've been with FD for 10 years and until now have been 100% happy with them. I don't meet their criteria of £1500 a month so I've just called them and fortunately I already have a dormant savings account. So to resolve this I've set up a £10 S/O each month to go into that. I already save elsewhere in better accounts so this extra £10 can just go towards something.

I don't really lose out as although this savings account is only 3%, the tenner would've only stayed in my current account anyway earning even less. So problem solved, but I have to say I'm not happy that they've done this. I may consider changing banks in the future.

wearside_2

Thinking about changing bank

I am as confused as the next person but as I am in Florida:j I don't know if I or my wife have a letter or not. We have a joint acount that is only creditied with my Mystery Shopping fees and debited with my HSA payments. Our joint saving account has a balance of £0. My wife's account is credited a few hundred pounds each month with her wages and she has a small savings account. I have a Gold Visa card that I used in the past for a interest free balance transfer but has no outstanding balance and is no longer used. I guess we are the sort of customer they want to get rid of as we cost them money:eek:

evab_2

Thinking about changing bank

I've decided to move my current account, my loan with them and also reclaim bank charges. A triple whammy hopefully. Weve been with them for 11 years but there is no loyalty, you have to do what's best for you.

Chadsman

Changed to another bank

I have had a FD account for about 8 years now though havnt used it as my main account since Nationwide launched online banking with a decent internet account.
At first was was helpful to be able to transact business out of normal branch hours. Now that practically everyone offers internet banking being an 'internet bank' is a bit of a gimmick. I still occassionally use it to fund various savings accounts and collect matched betting profits.
I have other acounts that can be used for that so I will be closing the FD account shortly.
Although I have never been able to fault FD for customer service I have never quite been able to figure out why people rave over it so much... but to each his own.

farhad1965

Staying with FD

I am staying with FD. Didn't get the letter. Have the cheque account and 3 savings accounts with them. About £10,500 credited to the account each month.

shoperholicnot

Thinking about changing bank

I am with first direct, and my salary is just under 1500 every month..i also have a credit card so I believe this lets me off the charge....I still think its a bloody disgrace though!!!! if they want to take this loophole off me they they will be told in no uncertain terms to stick their account where the sun does not shine!!

Cypher

Thinking about changing bank

I've been a first direct customer for over 10 years, but I've just opened a Nationwide Current Account and used the automatic transfer to start the switching of my main first direct account over.

Once thats done I will be moving a further 2 current accounts, 5 savings accounts and a credit card over.

So First Direct have just lost 9 accounts of mine.

medic1978

Thinking about changing bank

I think this is disgraceful. It penalises genuine customers who use the account regularly but dont earn enough to qualify.

Opening another one of their products to get around it shouldnt be necessary.

It may happen with other providers, but i think we should vote with our feet and transfer out to an alternative provider.

A_Nice_Englishman

Staying with FD

evab wrote:

I've decided to move my current account, my loan with them and also reclaim bank charges. A triple whammy hopefully. Weve been with them for 11 years but there is no loyalty, you have to do what's best for you.

As you have a loan with them they will have waive the £10 charge.