Is first direct REALLY any good?

Joewilliams1997

hey

so is first direct all whats it cracked up to be? could people tell me there experience with them?

many thanks
:j:beer::beer:

colsten

I suppose it depends what your requirements are. I am only interested in accounts that pay interest, can't comment on their loans / overdrafts / mortgages.

I only use them for their Regular saver, which pays a great interest rate.

If I didn't already have an account with them, I'd obviously also switch for their switching offer.

I would never use them as my main account as they don't pay any interest for their current account.

Their internet banking is very dated. Their app is a bit better. Not an issue for me as I rarely log in, and all the usual banking transactions are supported.

Their heritage is being a telephone bank and people report that they are still quite good on the phone.

You can search the forum on feedback, some of which has become increasingly unfavourable over the last year or so. I have no plans to change how I use them as long as their Regular Saver remains a great offer.

GingerFurball_2

Hopeless account opening process.

Applied for account online, needed to phone them to provide 3 years address history as the website only allowed me to enter 2 previous addresses. Did so weeks ago, have heard nothing from them since.

PeacefulWaters

They're wonderful on the phone.

It's a shame I never want to ring my bank ...

jamie_02

Have been a customer for years. Excellent customer services which they trade off, though have been superceded by others, especially Nationwide, which also offers a better product line, interest on some current accounts and better value for money on other packaged accounts, and a branch network. First Direct's internet banking is especially outdated. A solid 8/10 from me.

Doshwaster

PeacefulWaters wrote: »

They're wonderful on the phone.

It's a shame I never want to ring my bank ...

On the phone they are fantastic but otherwise they are just a brand of HSBC. I had my ISA with them for a few years and it used to stagger me that a human would answer the phone within 2-3 rings using your name.

So, they may be worth switching to if you do a lot of telephone banking but if you are mostly online then they are no different to anyone else.

wjr4

I've been with them for a year - used the switching service to get the offer of £150 & their 6% (at the time) regular saver. I think they are very good! Switching was very easy, telephone answers within seconds and they are very helpful. Online banking is good - not sure how advanced it needs to be? It is just a shame the current account doesn't pay interest (or any other perks) but for 6% pa from the regular saver it is worth it in my opinion

marlot

They even use voice recognition now to check that it's me!

Been with them for 20 years now. Had maybe three problems in that time, and each have been resolved rapidly and to my satisfaction.

reehsetin

PeacefulWaters wrote: »

They're wonderful on the phone.

It's a shame I never want to ring my bank ...

Ditto! Those rare occasions when I call they're absolutely brilliant, called on Monday, almost instant pick up, dealt with Husbands query quickly and easily, called me back (after completing application paperwork off the phone so we didn't have to hang about), then called back again for the same reason after checking out an android pay issue. Love them

Fuzion

Very quick to answer phone calls, easy to use internet banking. The regular saver offers a decent interest rate.

Zanderman

Agree good on the phone - but like others rarely need to phone!

Internet banking interface is clunky but works - hasn't been changed for years. Could be much better - and their gothic black colour scheme is just depressing!

But a decent regular saver account - worth having a current account with them just for that.