First Direct difficulty setting up new account

ultracheapskate

Hi,

I signed up for a new First Direct Bank account on the 26th October. I was hoping to take advantage of the £100 joining offer by switching over my current account and then opening their 6% saver.

However since applying I haven't heard anything (not even email with reference number acknowledging application). I have called them a few times and they said they were inundated with applications and it could take up to 10 working days.

Today I called them again and they said my application was in its final stages but they required me to call from my workplace as confirmation for money laundering purposes (so they could confirm the telephone number with directory services). I explained that this was difficult as I work in hospital, and they said an alternative was to send an original bank statement (no online copies) with my salary to them. Again I explained this would take time as all my statements are paperless/online with HSBC so I would need to request an original statement from them.

Is it usual for First Direct to firstly not contact you regarding the process of your application? And secondly are they known to be this fussy with their requirements for opening an account? I only ask because I have opened several other accounts in the past without so much difficulty.

Archi_Bald

Their systems probably couldn't find you on the Electoral Roll and/or Credit Reference Agencies. This can happen if you recently moved, or if there are small differences in the data on your application and those they can trace about you on their reference systems.

If you are determined to bag the £100, you'll have to hoop through the hoops.

Sedge123

I am a fd account holder and as far as I am aware they are part if HSBC do I font understand why they are asking you for extra proof, seems a big bonkers. Do they know you have an HSBC account?

sar050680

If you have a HSBC account you would be unable to claim the £100 joining bonus. It's in thier t+c's.

ultracheapskate

sar050680 wrote: »

If you have a HSBC account you would be unable to claim the £100 joining bonus. It's in thier t+c's.

Really? I wasn't aware of that. I was going to switch over my inactive flex account to take advantage of the £100 sign up. I don't want to close my main HSBC account

rb10

ultracheapskate wrote: »

Really? I wasn't aware of that. I was going to switch over my inactive flex account to take advantage of the £100 sign up. I don't want to close my main HSBC account

You're better off closing the HSBC account (0% interest) and keeping the Flexaccount.

You can upgrade it to a FlexDirect (5% interest) and use it to be eligible for better savings rates (Loyalty Saver, Flexclusive Regular Saver, Flexclusive ISA etc).