Top Bank Accounts Discussion Area

mt99

I had a FD account 15 years ago and wondered exactly the same thing - would I get the switching bonus. So I called them and asked if I had ever had an account with them as I couldn't remember - they entered my name and dob etc and said no I hadn't - so I got the bonus

castle96

I had one 25 yrs ago and they found it

TheShape

Superscrooge wrote: »

Possibly an easier option if you intend to keep £5000 in the account, is to transfer £1,500 out of the account each month and then immediately transfer it back in again. No new money required.

I know this is an old post but I'd been having trouble thinking about how I'd fund another Current Account requiring a pay in. How silly to get stuck thinking pay-in then pay-out rather than pay-out then pay-in.

Dewpoint

I recently opened a FD current account in order to apply for a regular saver account, and I just don't understand how MSE reports rate them as "top accounts" with "excellent customer service".
Their online system is a PITA, and their security procedures are downright frustrating and insecure as I've already pointed out to them.
Compared to the brilliant service I get from the Nationwide (both online and offline) they are light-years behind, and I'm not saying that because of some misguided loyalty to NW. If Nationwide was as useless as FD I wouldn't still be with them now!
For me, MSE surveys are questionable at best, and I'm beginning to suspect not very reliable.

CptJackSparrow

Hi - MSE quotes very high on Customer Service for First Direct. However uktrustpilot has rated FD Customer Service as Bad!

Are there any real customers on this forum who can comment on the Customer Service for a First Direct Current Account? I was planning to switch to it.

Thanks,
Sparrow

Dewpoint

Yes - as a very real customer of FD I am not very impressed at all. I'm sure there are far better banks out there. As already stated, Nationwide provides a much more efficient, user-friendly online system, and their customer support team is far easier to reach. I waited 15m to reach FD online support recently.
I certainly won't be transferring, nor will I be recommending others to do so. FD seems to exhibit the same bureaucracy and inefficiencies as its parent HSBC.

Steve_xx

CptJackSparrow wrote: »

Hi - MSE quotes very high on Customer Service for First Direct. However uktrustpilot has rated FD Customer Service as Bad!

Are there any real customers on this forum who can comment on the Customer Service for a First Direct Current Account? I was planning to switch to it.

Thanks,
Sparrow

Frankly, they seem ok to me. No better or worse than any of the others. The only time you ever need to contact banks generally is when something has gone a bit awry, and on that basis I'd say they were no better or worse than the others.

polymaff

CptJackSparrow wrote: »

Are there any real customers on this forum who can comment on the Customer Service for a First Direct Current Account? I was planning to switch to it.

The problem I've had with FD is that, even if you've just got a general enquiry, they insist on going through a lot of security. This trait isn't unique to FD - but I'd say that they're by far the worst.

Dewpoint

Not all banks are "no better or worse than any of the others" by any means otherwise MSE would be redundant and I'd wouldn't be posting here.
Real life experience:
1. I recently opened a regular saver account with Nationwide online - created instantly, transferred initial payment same time earning interest from day one, and the account was available to view online within 24 hrs. The whole process was effortless.
2. Tried the same today with FD - still waiting for confirmation, and my initial payment is still sulking in the FD current account earning no interest and waiting to be transferred to the Regular Saver account.

They stink and I'm seriously of closing all accounts with FD and trying TSB instead.

colsten

CptJackSparrow wrote: »

Hi - MSE quotes very high on Customer Service for First Direct. However uktrustpilot has rated FD Customer Service as Bad!

The trouble is that there is no universally accepted definition of "customer service" so all the ratings are basically meaningless.

I have accounts with literally all the UK current account providers, incl. First Direct. They are mostly all ok but those in the HSBC Group (HSBC, First Direct, M&S) stand out for two reasons

1. they have increasingly difficult security and ID requirements, and generally ancient systems
2. they have the best interest rates for regular savers

It's for the latter reason I have accounts with all the HSBC banks. Certainly would choose them for the first!

If you have never been a First Direct customer, it's worth looking into their joining and leaving offers as there could be an easy £250 to earn. You might have to wait a bit for the £150 switching offer to become available again - could be worth the wait.