Can I apply for the First Direct account?

skaps

I have had an isa with First Direct but no other products. Would I still be able to open an account?

Thanks in advance

rb10

You can still apply, but there's little point, as you wouldn't be eligible for the £125.

skaps

Thanks thought this may be the case

rb10

You can still get the Halifax switching bonus, even if you are an existing customer.

guesswho2000

rb10 wrote: »

You can still get the Halifax switching bonus, even if you are an existing customer.

You can, now. This is a new thing, it used to be new customers only, but only new current account customers - I had a credit card with Halifax and still got my free £100 last July to open an account.

grumbler

A few years ago I was in exactly the same position.
My original inquiry was:

At http://www1.firstdirect.com/1/2/1st-account/?fd_msc=CM123&WT.mc_id=CM123 you say : "...we can only offer this to people who haven't previously experienced the delights of banking with first direct."

I did have some experience with FD in the past. As far as I remember it was a cash ISA.
Could you, please, check and confirm if I am or am not eligible for the £100 bonus if I switch my current account and my salary (£1500+) to FD?
...

After exchanging a few e-mails with them I've got the following reply:

...
I'm sorry you have had cause to complain regarding the reply my colleague in Account Opening Team sent you on 03-Jan-2011. I understand you felt your question regarding joining incentives had not been fully answered.

I appreciate that in your message dated 02-Jan-2011 you asked if you would be eligible for a joining incentive as you had held accounts previously. Louise Thackray explained that the offer is only for new customers joining for the first time. I understand that Louise didn't actually comment on whether you personally were eligible or not and I apologise for that. The Terms and Conditions state for new customers only, therefore, as a previous customer you wouldn't be eligible for the GBP100 joining incentive.

That said, we are able to offer an alternative incentive which is available for previous customers. Transfer your salary/income of at least GBP1,500 as quoted at the time of re-applying to first direct. Also your standing orders and direct debits, making first direct your main bank. We can offer you a GBP100 transfer incentive. This offer is available for you until 31-Mar-2011, by which time the above criteria must be met and does not include the Service Guarantee offer.

Please confirm if you would like to take advantage of this offer at the time of re-applying to ensure the incentive is paid once the criteria has been fully met.

I do hope this is acceptable and trust I have addressed your concerns.
...

Markinjapan99

Is it possible to manually transfer over the direct debits you want rather than all of them? Basically, can you 'switch' without switching by maintaining an existing account somewhere else but transferring in the required amount by direct debit each month and just having the required 2 DDs coming out of the First Direct account?

Thanks in advance!

xylophone

Is it possible to manually transfer over the direct debits you want rather than all of them? Basically, can you 'switch' without switching by maintaining an existing account somewhere else but transferring in the required amount by direct debit each month and just having the required 2 DDs coming out of the First Direct account?

If you are looking for the sweetener you will need to use the FD switching service - they ask for a full list but you arrange with FD which ones are to be switched.