Is first direct REALLY any good?

steampowered

I moved to them a few years ago. I think they are outstanding.

If you ever need to speak to them, you simply ring the number and someone picks up the phone immediately. They deal with account opening, overdrafts, any suspected fraud etc. on the phone pretty much immediately.

You don't have to go through endless cell centre options. You don't have to wait in a queue. You simply get straight through to a real person who knows what they are doing.

There is no way I would move back to a high street bank, even if you paid me. I value my time. Any time I had a problem with my old bank (Natwest), I used to have to wait in a queue in branch for ages or spend ages on the phone jumping through hoops.

System

Reasonably good if you need to speak to them on the phone - otherwise, fairly uncompetitive and technologically backward.

Defiantely one for the baby boomer generation (along with sister bank M&S)

eskbanker

I reported long waits on the phone when switching in this thread and was far from alone in being unimpressed, so there's plenty of negative feedback to go with the positive....

They always do well in the regular MSE polls, read into that what you wish! http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/banking/2016/08/hsbc-bottom-in-our-banking-poll-as-first-direct-grabs-top-spot-again-

anotheruser

Define "good".

I had their "pay £150 for switching, and an extra £50 if you leave" deal.

Their internet banking looks like it's stuck in the 1990's, and the bland black and white is boring.