First Direct or Smile?

Firkin1

Ive also been with Abbey/Santander for over 20 years. Sued them a few years ago to recoup their horrific charges, but they're getting worse. So time to get out. Robbing b*****ds.

Hezzawithkids

Hazzanet wrote: »

I wouldn't hold my breath...

I'm not. I don't think they give a monkeys

Nodders_2

Not sure about FD, but having banked with smile for 2 years now be careful of their customer service - the worst I have encountered with banks. There phone service is OK but the "contact us" options are not read or responded to. Great when it goes well but a mess when it goes wrong.

penrhyn

I am, been with FD at least 15 years, never a problem, staff always go the extra mile and like to have a chat. You always get a human being when you ring them.
If I had a complaint they have stopped doing the nice leather cheque book and card holders.
Just check the T&C's relating to free banking.

katejo

penrhyn wrote: »

I am, been with FD at least 15 years, never a problem, staff always go the extra mile and like to have a chat. You always get a human being when you ring them.
If I had a complaint they have stopped doing the nice leather cheque book and card holders.
Just check the T&C's relating to free banking.

I have been with FD for over 20 years and would not move to any other precisely for the above reason re. customer services. It never feels that they are reading from a script.

greenjellybean

Nodders wrote: »

Not sure about FD, but having banked with smile for 2 years now be careful of their customer service - the worst I have encountered with banks. There phone service is OK but the "contact us" options are not read or responded to. Great when it goes well but a mess when it goes wrong.

Not so in my Smile experience, Nodders. I find Smile staff always respond (ok perhaps not immediately) when I send them a message. I agree the site is a bit clunky but I have always managed to get everything I wanted done. Im not terribly high-tec... the little card reader you have to use to set up transfers is irritating as I dont carry it around with me so have to wait until I am at home before I can do certain things. Does FD use this system too?

Glad to hear such good things about FD as it goes as I will be moving to them shortly because of my new offset mortgage. Good to know they are at least on a par with Smile - sounds like most people think they are much better!

1jim

Have been with smile for many years....since they started I think

Customer service is great, the messaging side is a little slower than it was a few years ago but still pretty good. Telephone service is great. Interest rate pretty poor / non existent now but I still stick with them but do play the £1000 transfer to Halifax x3 to get the £5 x3 rewards every month.

Did try to open a fd account many years ago but they messed it up big time which to be fair doesn't appear to the norm for them but it was enough to put me off, I can't see any reason for me to switch from smile a the minute but never say never