MSE News: First Direct takes the lead as banks now have to say if their own customers...

WillPS

Still don't understand why First Direct gets quite so much hype. Their application process is ludicrously slow. Their online banking facility is extremely archaic. Their app was rubbish too (although like HSBC I understand it's got better, if it's like HSBC then it's still only really parr at best).

The customer service was OK. The whole get through to a person thing is a gimmick, all that person does is do security with you and make you wait for someone else. It's no better than the normal phone menu system with automated security, except you talk to a human to do it instead.

It's pretty much HSBC with a slightly different front end.

It was worth it for £225, but I don't see any point in switching to them otherwise.

If you actually want a refreshingly different banking product then Starling, Monzo and Metro are the ones to consider IMO.

JuicyJesus

WillPS wrote: »

The customer service was OK. The whole get through to a person thing is a gimmick, all that person does is do security with you and make you wait for someone else. It's no better than the normal phone menu system with automated security, except you talk to a human to do it instead.

I generally agree with most of your post (I think FD are overrated and are not noticeably "better" than, say, Nationwide or Halifax in many respects) however this bit isn't quite true. One of FD's "things" is that they try and make sure you can do as much as possible as quickly as possible with the first person who you speak to.

However... that still doesn't really matter, because as mentioned their service is basically just standard otherwise, and all banks do try to meet that standard in some sense. If anything I found them to have a real snooty, "better-than-thou" "you're-not-fit-to-bank-with-us-peasant" attitude. And when they really are just rebranded HSBC at this point, I can't recommend them too highly.

System

JuicyJesus wrote: »

However... that still doesn't really matter, because as mentioned their service is basically just standard otherwise, and all banks do try to meet that standard in some sense. If anything I found them to have a real snooty, "better-than-thou" "you're-not-fit-to-bank-with-us-peasant" attitude. And when they really are just rebranded HSBC at this point, I can't recommend them too highly.

I tried them out and was less than impressed - I got money to join and money to leave.

When they came across an issue, they played it down and actually said they were 'amongst the highest rated banks' rather than just fixing their problem.

I'm also sure if you are a 'branchless' bank that only accepts affluent customers then it's easier to be nice.

BoGoF

Im another who thinks FD are over-rated.

Manual security set up after account opening - in this day and age why do we need to phone to register passwords.

Basic app features - can't view actual credit card statements.

I switched purely for the free cash and once a suitable switching offer comes up I'm off.

spenderdave

I would never recommend anybody what bank they should be using. I am not a financial advisor. The whole thing is a nonsense, I would always answer 'never' whatever I personally thought of a bank.

EarthBoy

spenderdave wrote: »

I would never recommend anybody what bank they should be using. I am not a financial advisor. The whole thing is a nonsense, I would always answer 'never' whatever I personally thought of a bank.

Wouldn't you be better not completing the surveys at all, rather than giving inaccurate answers?

Paul_Herring

EarthBoy wrote: »

Wouldn't you be better not completing the surveys at all, rather than giving inaccurate answers?

I saw no inaccuracy there...

I would never recommend anybody what bank they should be using. I am not a financial advisor. The whole thing is a nonsense, I would always answer 'never' whatever I personally thought of a bank.

Blaise_in_Surrey

I heartily recommend Nationwide: been with them for years and their internet banking and phone app are excellent. I’ve looked at FD as my daughter is with them and likes them, but I prefer the online interface of Nationwide.

OceanSound

camelot1971 wrote: »

No, it's not. Is it as slick as some other banks? No. It's perfectly serviceable though. It uses finger print ID, I can see my transactions, I can move money about - what more do you need?

Pretty sure it dosen't have fingerprint ID on android. Are you an apple user by any chance?
HSBC use to have fingerprint login only for the apple version of the app, now it's introduced it for a select range of android (which I'm sure only a few customers use). They are yet to introduce it across all android phones.

Paul_Herring

OceanSound wrote: »

Pretty sure it dosen't have fingerprint ID on android. Are you an apple user by any chance?
HSBC use to have fingerprint login only for the apple version of the app, now it's introduced it for a select range of android (which I'm sure only a few customers use). They are yet to introduce it across all android phones.

Are they actually using fingerprints as an ID, or as an authentication mechanism (i.e. password)?

If the latter, what do you have to do to change them, like you would a password, if your fingerprint ever got compromised?