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First Direct 1st Account

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I applied for a First Direct 1st Account last, and after about 6 days I am still yet to hear back whether it has been accepted or not.

If I was to be declined for credit history, I would assume I would be declined instantly?

What would be the reason for such a lengthy wait?

What are other peoples experiences with opening a First Direct account?

Cheers.

Comments

  • Superscrooge
    Superscrooge Posts: 1,171 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Normally First Direct are very quick. It might be worth contacting them in case a letter or email has gone astray
  • grumbler
    grumbler Posts: 58,629 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    I applied for a First Direct 1st Account last, and after about 6 days I am still yet to hear back whether it has been accepted or not.

    If I was to be declined for credit history, I would assume I would be declined instantly?

    What would be the reason for such a lengthy wait?
    IMO, this is better than get the account opened in haste, get the details and then have if shut down in few days after more thorough checks. That's exactly how some more arrogant banks behave.
  • Similar story with me - I actually first applied last week and just as I was waiting for my decision, I was instead met with a "technical difficulties" screen, asking me to contact FD with a ref number. I assumed I would get my decision over the phone in that case, but no - the application file apparently was in a corrupt state and I was encouraged to apply again after he had deleted it. I was worried in case a credit check had actually been done but was assured it hadn't (we'll see...!).

    Anyway, on that assurance I applied again (and had also ticked the box to open the online saver acc.), but the application was referred. I've not had any decision and it's well past the 48 hours.

    I have however had an email welcoming me to my new saver account (with no reference at all to the current account) - am I right to assume they go hand-in-hand so if I have been accepted for the saver, then I must've been accepted for the current acc. as well?
  • I'm afraid FD can be very picky. They took a little while to confirm my account a year ago ( even though I had a previous long standing account with them for years - I switched this away) had an email after around 5 days I recall confirming my account.
  • Mine was confirmed immediately so can't help. Hope you have heard something by now.
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  • Oasis1
    Oasis1 Posts: 737 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Mine took a while too. I think over a week until I received a pack in the post with further instructions.
  • Similar story with me - I actually first applied last week and just as I was waiting for my decision, I was instead met with a "technical difficulties" screen, asking me to contact FD with a ref number. I assumed I would get my decision over the phone in that case, but no - the application file apparently was in a corrupt state and I was encouraged to apply again after he had deleted it. I was worried in case a credit check had actually been done but was assured it hadn't (we'll see...!).

    Anyway, on that assurance I applied again (and had also ticked the box to open the online saver acc.), but the application was referred. I've not had any decision and it's well past the 48 hours.

    I have however had an email welcoming me to my new saver account (with no reference at all to the current account) - am I right to assume they go hand-in-hand so if I have been accepted for the saver, then I must've been accepted for the current acc. as well?

    This was exactly what happened with me and yes the current account just happened, think the first thing I got was a cheque book.

    This was in October last year and whilst I may be easily pleased I'm impressed with them so far.
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