So is First Direct good or not ?

NectarCollector

Money goes in and out of my account, I do nearly all my banking through mobile apps and first direct's app is extremely slow and nearly always freezes when I try to scroll through my transactions, meaning I am usually forced to find a pc and log in that way using the very slow app to generate a security code. I may be switching soon and claim their £100 leaving gift!

louby40

I'm just in the process of switching from Santander to First Direct.

I've been pleased with Santander, their online apps are excellent.

My motivation to switch is to reduce my overdraft and get away from the £17 I was charged in fees by Santander, plus they upped their monthly fee recently to £5 which isn't good for me.

So far I've been pleased with FD efficiency but the online experience is terrible, so much to remember when logging in, you have to use your mobile to put in codes to set up SO etc where's with Santander they text you a code - which is much easier.

I'm hoping the switching service works as I've set it up to hopefully switch around when I get paid. I still have a savings account with Santander which I shall keep.

colsten

louby40 wrote: »

I still have a savings account with Santander which I shall keep.

I hope you don't have any money in that account as the interest rate is abysmal.

slopemaster

Mediocre.
I've recently switched away from them.
As others have said, internet banking is very old-fashioned.
They also stuffed up the SO to my regular saver.
On the plus side, yes, their phone banking is v good with no automated menus

colsten

slopemaster wrote: »

They also stuffed up the SO to my regular saver.

I am no big fan of FD overall but I love their regular saver and have opened my 6th one with them last week. All worked liked clockwork, as in the previous 5 years. Nothing "stuffed up".

System

Old fashioned - If you are person who calls their bank, then they are the one for you and they have a (easily avoidable) monthly fee of £10

louby40

I'm hoping to just use it for short term saving (e.g Christmas piggybacking) once I get my overdraft to 0 and can build my savings up

colsten

louby40 wrote: »

I'm hoping to just use it for short term saving (e.g Christmas piggybacking) once I get my overdraft to 0 and can build my savings up

There are much more flexible accounts for that than the FD regular saver. The others pay a tad less interest but at least you have instant access to your money, without loss of interest, and without having to close the account.

Aquamania

In my experince, not.

karlos1992 wrote: »

According to the money supermaket site it's the best thing ever winning all the customer service awards yet on trust pilot it has one star how can they justify advertising the bank as this great thing without even one mention of the trutpilot rating ?

They pay a huge commision to those referrers that entice others to open an account with them.

And they pay a "golden hello" to those that do switch to them - something many then award great customer service scores for.

Is there any bank, or any supplier, on trust pilot that has great feedback? Most people go there to whinge, some without possibly even having any reason to do so. If you do find one, how do you know it's not the supplier promoting themself?

These third party review sites don't work because there is no way the people posting can be confirmed as genuine customers, let alone what they post is genuine feedback.

roadrunnertwozero15

Barclays is better, trust me.