First Direct Vs NatWest - best overall and for customer service?

GustyGardenGalaxy

Seems to me like NatWest's online banking and customer service is going downhill - from doing a little research First Direct seems to come out tops.

Are there any disadvantages using FD instead of NatWest or switching from NatWest to FD?

I only need it for a current account and credit card.

Thanks

Gromitt

Depends if you use any of Natwest's unique features such as emergency money.

guesswho2000

Well if you switch to FD you could get a free £100 which is a good incentive in the first instance.

FDs credit cards aren't much cop, but then NatWest's aren't amazing (YourPoints is alright in my opinion, especially the long 0% purchase period).

FD has a larger interest free OD (£250 as opposed to NatWest's £100).

I have no experience of FD's online banking, but I think NatWest's is pretty good, and their mobile banking is fantastic.

I tend to use Nationwide more now, but NatWest is still one of my main Current Accounts, and haven't really got anything bad to say about them.

dalesrider

Given how easy it is to switch accounts these days.
For the sake of £100 give it a try. If you don't like it you can always move on elsewhere.
Just remember to keep the old NW acc open.

innovate

It all depends on what you are looking for from a bank. If you want lots of branches, NatWest wins (between the two you mention). If you want to get straight through to a person on the phone, FD can't be beaten (amongst all banks). The NatWest online service beats the spots of the FD one, but you can still do everything you need to do on the ageing FD website.

I have current accounts with both but rarely use them because they pay zero % interest. When I have alternatives that pay 3% and 5%, I have no reason not to use those alternatives. I don't use overdrafts or loans and I have no mortgage so can't comment on these aspects from personal experience.

As I said, it all depends on what you are looking for from a bank.

alanq

With NatWest you have access to a wide range of banking services in branch. With FD you have very limited access to services in HSBC branches.

FD's online banking does the job but is primitive compared with NatWest's.

With NatWest a card reader and PIN are required for certain online transactions. Depending on your point of view these are a great inconvenience or a valuable additional security measure.

FD has had attractive regular savings accounts but none is on offer at present. FD offers 0.25% + on request 1% bonus for a year for instant access online savings accounts (new money only). NW offers a 1% instant access online savings account and occasionally offers (to all or a mysterious selection of customers) bonuses to enhance that rate.

alanq

alanq wrote: »

FD's online banking does the job but is primitive compared with NatWest's.

On the other hand NatWest's seems more than averagely prone to interruption.

alanq wrote: »

FD has had attractive regular savings accounts but none is on offer at present.

The Regular Saver has returned now paying 6%.

InsideInsurance

For customer service all banks do terribly but First Direct tend to be the best of the bad lot (they got almost twice the score of Natwest in the latest Which? survey)

jaybeetoo

With First Diect you can pay in cheques and get cash at HSBC or Post Office branches.

I've been with First Direct since they first started - I wouldn't switch to anyone else.

opinions4u

InsideInsurance wrote: »

For customer service all banks do terribly but First Direct tend to be the best of the bad lot (they got almost twice the score of Natwest in the latest Which? survey)

The worst performers in FOS statistics typically have 4 or 5 complaints per thousand accounts.

That means 995 out of 1000 accounts are not creating complaints.

Go to a restaurant, and I bet you moan about the speed of service more often than that.

Try to get a refund for duff goods from Currys and you'll discover truly reprehensible service.

They're not perfect. But the perception of banks giving continuously terrible service is a myth.

chambta

opinions4u wrote: »

The worst performers in FOS statistics typically have 4 or 5 complaints per thousand accounts.

That means 995 out of 1000 accounts are not creating complaints.

Go to a restaurant, and I bet you moan about the speed of service more often than that.

Try to get a refund for duff goods from Currys and you'll discover truly reprehensible service.

They're not perfect. But the perception of banks giving continuously terrible service is a myth.

Absolutely. Some may laugh at this, or think I'm making it up, but at the bank I work in customers bring us gifts on a weekly basis - whether it be biscuits, cake, sweets as a token of their appreciation for what we do for them.