First Direct

ChopperST

Hi everyone,

Just wondering if anyone had any experience of first direct's current account.

I currently bank with lloyds and am a bit miffed at the moment as they have charged me £5 for going £50 into my £2000 arranged overdraft for one day. I rang them today and they said it is now standard practice to charge £5 per month "overdraft useage fee" despite much protest I couldnt get the charge overturned. I think this is the first time I have used my overdraft in something like two years and apparantly the fees have changed and they wrote me a letter to tell me.

I pay over £50k a year into my current account and hold £12k of savings with them as well.

Seriously considering switching for better fees etc. but would like people's opinions.

Thanks in anticipation.

Beastface

I can't say enough good things about First Direct. The online banking is good, everything is efficient, their customer service staff are brilliant, and I'm still shocked when I dial the number and the phone is picked up in 2 rings

smartiedriver_2

And don't forget you can get £125 for switching to FD at the moment (see Martin's email, a week or so ago)

onlypaddy

Another fan here, the switching process is the only time I've (almost) fully trusted a bank to switch direct debits and SO's for me, they just inspire confidence

crispy_chris

Another big thumbs up for First Direct. I switched to them, definitely won't be switching away!

DrSyn

They are an probably the most liked bank in this country and with very good reason!

1.They got a top rating of 97% in the Daily Mail cutomer survey.

2.If you take a look in the Banking Savings tab section you will again find they come top.

3. If you give them a try I think you will be more than happy with them.

meer53

Another fan here ! Been with them 17 years, never had to complain about anything, ever. UK call centres, answered by people, not machines, no options to choose, just a person answering the phone. First class service.

headache5678

I would like to switch to First Direct.

Do they require customers to use one of the Dual Factor Authentication Token Devices (aka Secure Card / Card Reader) in order to access one's account On Line.

MarkFromCornwall

No.

....

alanq

Not at present but First Direct's parent HSBC is issuing Secure Keys to all its customers and "First Direct Secure Key" has been copyrighted.
http://www.ipo.gov.uk/t-tmj/journals/6871/domestic/2566455.html

http://www.hsbc.co.uk/1/2/security-centre/secure-key?HBEU_dyn_lnk=SecurityCentre_Overview_BannerSlotA_LearnMore_Button

also see this post

baby_frogmella wrote: »

To all those First Direct customers who think they'll never have to use a secure key/card reader...think again! I recently closed my HSBC current account due to the secure key requirement and called up First Direct to ask them if they had any plans to introduce the secure key. First their agent said they didn't have any plans, i asked him "are you 100% sure?" he kept me on hold for 10 mins and then said " sorry, we do intend to introduce something similar within the next 12 months"

Fridaycat

I joined first direct about 6 months after they started up, must be over 20 years ago. I, too, have nothing but praise. Have never found anything to fault them over. Would definitely recommend, and frequently do! Not many banks you could say that about these days