First Direct - Account Opening

Sydney2London

After a long and drawn out process, my First Direct account is nearly up and running (they are awaiting one additional ID copy due to my visa arrangements). I have been informed that the account will be opened once this is received.

I was interested as to whether online banking could be accessed immediately after the account is opened? Will I receive an email confirming the account is opened or will I have to wait until my debit card is sent out? I'm keen to get it up and running as I'd like to provide my payroll with the account details for pay this week.

Additionally, if the account is opened, is the overdraft automatically applied? Or have there been instances of people being accepted but not the overdraft declined?

Cheers!

ConsumerMatt

This is probably a bit late for you but I've only just today completed my FD switch. It was painfully slow (took 5 weeks).

For me: I applied online and at the same time opened a savings account. I got an email saying 'thank you for opening a savings account' but nothing about the current account. Then a week later out of nowhere a big welcome pack came through the post, with my new debit card and the day after, my card PIN.

I had to phone them (another slow process - on hold a lot, considering they boast about having no automated system and that you'll get straight through to a human!). Once I'd set up all my telephone banking questions I was then able to set up my online account. The overdraft I applied for was already there.

I'm assuming you've now done this already. It took nearly 2 weeks for my separate current account switch pack to arrive via post (even though I asked on the phone for them to email it to me). My payroll cut off date at work is very tight so once my current account was open I provided the new details and just hoped the switch pack would arrive before too long.

Fortunately today I got paid into the new FD account and the final switch happens tomorrow. It was easy but it took way too long for me to consider doing it again soon. I switched from Natwest to FD. On the other hand, my better half switched hers from HSBC to Halifax last year and it was done in a few days and she did it all online!

Sydney2London

Thanks ConsumerMatt.

So I ended up getting through to them over the phone yesterday, and they informed me that once the account is open, I should receive an email regarding the savings account and online banking should be able to be set up immediately (and the current account should also be linked there).

Were you able to set up online banking with that first email and was your sort code and account number reflected there?

Thanks.

diamonds

Given HSBC run M&S I have no account details yet despite being approved and sending back the signed specimen signature I would guess no the details of account will prob be posted.


Saying that it is documented M&S have a rather draconian system over its parent company, but even that is documented on here by somto be a right royal pain in the a$$!


Lastly our banking system is not as intelligent as AU, we dont have a requirement of Product Disclosure and its all in small print terms for the majority of financial institutions and their products so read carefully as not to get burnt, on the positive side we dont have the Pommonwealth Bank charges even for a balance enquiry at Westpac and vice versa