First Direct - welcome bonus clawback?

Op89

Hello everyone,

I have tried searching t+c's and previous threads but can't seem to find a definitive answer.

I am looking to have a bank account tidy up as I have benefitted from all available current account switch offers and cannot find any further use for many. (I will leave a spare account for any future offers)

I opened up a First Direct account and received the welcome bonus end of April. Can I close it now without having the bonus clawed back?

I am not fussed about the leaving bonus and staying another 6 months as my colleagues/friends have told me they were difficult to get from them.

Thank you

EarthBoy

First Direct don't take back the bonus if you leave them, but if you ever want to rejoin them in the future they might think twice about accepting you if you only stayed with them for two minutes.

forgotmyname

Dont they offer a leaving bonus if you stay with them for a set period?

Leave after 6 months but before 12 months?

Vaguely remember reading something like that when joining, but that was 18 months back.

eskbanker

forgotmyname wrote: »

Dont they offer a leaving bonus if you stay with them for a set period?

Leave after 6 months but before 12 months?

Vaguely remember reading something like that when joining, but that was 18 months back.

They do, but OP already decided not to wait, given doubts about how easy it is to collect:

Op89 wrote: »

I am not fussed about the leaving bonus and staying another 6 months as my colleagues/friends have told me they were difficult to get from them.

mije1983

Op89 wrote: »

I am not fussed about the leaving bonus and staying another 6 months as my colleagues/friends have told me they were difficult to get from them.

But if it's difficult to get away from them, then it's difficult whether after a day or a year surely?

If you're not using the account just leave it in the background and wait another 4 months to claim the free money.

EarthBoy

mije1983 wrote: »

But if it's difficult to get away from them, then it's difficult whether after a day or a year surely?

It's not difficult to get away from First Direct, the OP was just saying they've been told that it's difficult to get the leaving bonus from them.

mije1983

EarthBoy wrote: »

It's not difficult to get away from First Direct, the OP was just saying they've been told that it's difficult to get the leaving bonus from them.

Fair enough. Still seems pointless leaving now though. If they DO turn out to be difficult to get the bonus from, then the OP can just leave without in 4 months and are no worse off, but could be better off. Each to their own though if free money isn't their thing!

[Deleted User]

I am due to claim my leaving bonus from them at the end of this month.
They are the most backward bank in terms of online banking etc, to the point that I only credit the £1000 each month and then move it.
I had a feeling it would not be straightforward to claim this !

Zandimos

I can vouch that leaving First Direct and getting the bonus is extremely easy. Simply ring them up and they're happy to hand it over.

Op89

EarthBoy wrote: »

First Direct don't take back the bonus if you leave them, but if you ever want to rejoin them in the future they might think twice about accepting you if you only stayed with them for two minutes.

Thank you

Op89

:A

mije1983 wrote: »

Fair enough. Still seems pointless leaving now though. If they DO turn out to be difficult to get the bonus from, then the OP can just leave without in 4 months and are no worse off, but could be better off. Each to their own though if free money isn't their thing!

I can assure you free money certainly is my thing otherwise I would not have exhausted all available options

I put £1000 in and leave it a few days, take the £1000 out and the last 3 times have always been delayed for fraud checks. Understandable and most certainly appreciated by myself. But having £1k suspended pending checks for another few months doesn't appeal to me.