Switching to First Direct

ministrymason

Thanks for all the helpful responses. I will open an account with FD im currently with Halifax and I have to go into branch for all sorts. I've had to go to branch to close an account or find out when my student OD is finished. They only deal with the account in branch now. Why do you have to go to branch in this age?

seriousDFW

I'm reminded today why I love FD so much.

I had to ring another high street bank to ask for a PIN reminder for my debit card and an additional cardholder's credit card, as neither had been used in a while. It took me 15 minutes to get this sorted, I had to pass through security three times and I was transferred from automated system and then to two different people. With FD this would have been a 2 minute phone call with no stress at all. I must admit though, I think I may get more stressed than the average person at having to deal with automated menus on phones, it just annoys me so much!

staffie1

ministrymason wrote: »

Why do you have to go to branch in this age?

In my experience, usually so that they can try to flog you something you don't want or need.

myth123

I recently changed to First Direct, process was easy. It's worth noting that if you want the introductory bonus you also have to use their switching service.

I was wondering if anybody who has been with FD longer could help me? Do they ever do substantial 0% interest on purchases offers on their credit cards? I haven't signed up for one with them but I am just looking at what they currently have and there are only bonus offers for balance transfers.

baby_frogmella

myth123 wrote: »

I recently changed to First Direct, process was easy. It's worth noting that if you want the introductory bonus you also have to use their switching service.

I was wondering if anybody who has been with FD longer could help me? Do they ever do substantial 0% interest on purchases offers on their credit cards? I haven't signed up for one with them but I am just looking at what they currently have and there are only bonus offers for balance transfers.

Any offers on FD credit cards tend to be for new customers only, eg the current one (0% on balancer transfers for 20 months + 2.9% fee) is for transfers within 2 months of account opening. They also do 0% for x months on purchases now & again but again for new customers only

olivetti

I switched my main current account to FD about 3 years ago, to take advantage of the free cash the offered at the time.

I also have current accounts with Halifax (18 years), Lloyds TSB (5 years), Nationwide (6 Years), Santander/A&L (10 years).

Out of those I would rate them in this order:

1. Halifax
2. LTSB
3. FD
4. Nationwide
5. Santander

FD online banking is not as easy to use as Halifax/LTSB (both use the same system) and FD offer pathetic interest, if any at all, with the exception of the 8% regular saver.

Nationwide are OK, but interest rates are poor for a provider that promotes itself as not having shareholders and operates 100% for its customers. why do they consistently offer rates lower than there shareholder owned rival then? Online banking has improved recently.

Santander offer OK rates but the online service is worst of all 5 and they really are badly organised and make so many unforced errors.

seriousDFW

olivetti wrote: »

FD online banking is not as easy to use as Halifax/LTSB (both use the same system) and FD offer pathetic interest, if any at all, with the exception of the 8% regular saver.

I am amazed at this - I think FD's internet banking is so easy to use and it looks well-organised once you're used to how it works. But Halifax's looks amateurish, clunky and not very intuitive, with everything in different sized text, an array of flashing images with adverts on and huge buttons to do anything. It's also quite limited with what it allows you to do, i.e. no secure messaging service, nowhere to re-order PINs or replacement cards, whereas FD allows lots of functionality.

I do agree about FD's pathetic interest rates though, excluding the regular saver. However I like the fact with FD that while I get no current account interest, I do get an interest-free overdraft. I have my savings with Halifax as their rates are better and transfers between Halifax and FD are always almost instantaneous which is fantastic.

Halifax have always been very helpful on the phone, it just always takes ages to get to speak to someone because of the menus and options and passing through security several times.

samwsmith1

seriousDFW wrote: »

I am amazed at this - I think FD's internet banking is so easy to use and it looks well-organised once you're used to how it works. But Halifax's looks amateurish, clunky and not very intuitive, with everything in different sized text, an array of flashing images with adverts on and huge buttons to do anything. It's also quite limited with what it allows you to do, i.e. no secure messaging service, nowhere to re-order PINs or replacement cards, whereas FD allows lots of functionality.

I agree entirely with you on that, I personally rate Halifax as one of the worst online banking as it doesn't allow much functionality when compared to FD or HSBC.

Gromitt

I don't rate Halifax very high because although they offer basic functions (transfers, payments) they don't offer much advanced functionality and don't support the ability to leave messages at all, so you can't even ask them to do something for you. They also don't seem to be particularly helpful on the phone, and in the local branches always seem to be too busy to help, always telling you to "Visit the website".

Lloyds TSB are far more friendly in branch, but about as good on the phone. I don't know if they support messages via their online banking, but considering its the same platform as Halifax, I'd assume not.

MoneySaverLog

Gromitt wrote: »

I don't rate Halifax very high because although they offer basic functions (transfers, payments) they don't offer much advanced functionality and don't support the ability to leave messages at all, so you can't even ask them to do something for you. They also don't seem to be particularly helpful on the phone, and in the local branches always seem to be too busy to help, always telling you to "Visit the website".

Lloyds TSB are far more friendly in branch, but about as good on the phone. I don't know if they support messages via their online banking, but considering its the same platform as Halifax, I'd assume not.

That just about sums up the two banks :T

My order would be, and I bank with the first 4

1. LTSB
2. NatWest
3. FD
4. Nationwide
5. Santander (Don't bank with them)