First Direct

robatwork

zagubov wrote: »

They're good, but they're careful and methodical and they take their time so apply early.
You will have to open a new bank account with them, but you don't have to close other accounts.

OK well I just remortgaged to FD and didn't have to open a bank account.

THE GOOD
Unlike the "minutes" quoted above I have only ever waited a few seconds to get through on the phone.
Their rates were the best.
UK call centre - staff highly trained and friendly
THE BAD
The form filling seemed interminable
THE UGLY
No online access to your mortgage.
To me this seems so obvious a requirement in 2017 I didn't even ask. And because FD were just a few £ better in the long run than the nearest competitor (West Brom) I wish I would have gone with the other choice just because of this.

Yes they may launch online mortgage access soon. They may not.

clairebeth

Yes, I agree with the above.

You don't need to open a current account with them. When you phone someone legally answers like you're phoning the shop down the street, I've never dealt with an automated answering machine thing, it's amazing. And yes, I didn't even think you ask about the online mortgage either, which is irritating, but because they answer the phone do quickly you can phone up for a balance.

clairebeth

Sorry, 'literally', not 'legally'!

jiggy2

robatwork wrote: »

OK well I just remortgaged to FD and didn't have to open a bank account.

THE GOOD
Unlike the "minutes" quoted above I have only ever waited a few seconds to get through on the phone.
Their rates were the best.
UK call centre - staff highly trained and friendly
THE BAD
The form filling seemed interminable
THE UGLY
No online access to your mortgage.
To me this seems so obvious a requirement in 2017 I didn't even ask. And because FD were just a few £ better in the long run than the nearest competitor (West Brom) I wish I would have gone with the other choice just because of this.

Yes they may launch online mortgage access soon. They may not.

Not an offset mortgage I take it? The offset one is definitely visible online!

Have just moved house and generally FD were good - but the time it takes to get through their internal checks (from one department to another etc) is frustrating. However, fee free option plus good rates makes them an easy choice.

robatwork

No not offset just standard 2 yr repayment fix

anselld

robatwork wrote: »

O
THE UGLY
No online access to your mortgage.
To me this seems so obvious a requirement in 2017 I didn't even ask. And because FD were just a few £ better in the long run than the nearest competitor (West Brom) I wish I would have gone with the other choice just because of this.

Yes they may launch online mortgage access soon. They may not.

There is already online access at least for their offset mortgage.
funds can be transferred in and out of mortgage online and history is viewable via "Offset Summary",.

zagubov

Yep, an offset mortgage.
Opening a bank account with them was part of the deal.
You could check on your mortgage online.

Switched to a repayment with them, now can't see the mortgage online. And it's a good bank account so not even thinking of closing it.

daztraction

I bank and have a repayment mortgage with First Direct. I think they're great - top notch customer service.

The lack of online access may be a sticking point to some, but you can overpay the mortgage via the banking app, and I check my mortgage balance every month with a free online credit checker (Noddle), so it's not much of a dealbreaker really.

When my current mortgage fixed term expires next year, I'm going with them again.

chelseablue

Thank you all.

Bank account is with Halifax. Would I really need to open an account with FD too before getting a mortgage with them?

lisyloo

chelseablue wrote: »

Thank you all.

Bank account is with Halifax. Would I really need to open an account with FD too before getting a mortgage with them?

You'll need to ask them.
I did, but then my mortgage was taken out in 1998 and they may well have changed their terms.
What's the big deal about opening an account?