First Direct

IAMIAM

First Direct are predominately slipping down the league tables because they are not keeping up with digital quickly enough, compared to Nationwide/HSBC and Barclays etc where you can literally do anything and everything online

Ken68

08009172424 for customer service and 0800242424 for new customers.  Haven't used them recently but might still be operational.

jsmith9

Called them on the 0113 number at 16.00 sunday and was talking to a human within about 20 seconds

Rich1976

IAMIAM said:

First Direct are predominately slipping down the league tables because they are not keeping up with digital quickly enough, compared to Nationwide/HSBC and Barclays etc where you can literally do anything and everything online

What do you need to do with them that you can't already?

Rich1976

We still use them for our joint account after 12 years and the account does what I need it to do.
The app has massively improved. I never use their online banking so can't comment on that.
For me our salaries get paid in, direct debits come our when they should, I can set up new payees and transfer money elsewhere. I can also see spending card transactions and DD's that will come out the next day.
I'm not overly bothered about league tables as it is very subjective and based on personal opinion. If someone has a bad experience they are hardly going to recommend the provider.
Having said that we no longer have any other products with them as there are better alternatives for Savings and a credit card we have elsewhere is just for food, petrol and things we would get protection on.
So for me purely for a current account First Direct do what they are supposed to.

born_again

What first direct need to do is go back to concentrating on the one thing that got them where they were before the challenger banks got better % rating in the polls.
Telephone banking.
All banks now have a digital presence, which to some is great, to others is a non event as they do not like the perceived risks banking either via the internet or APP based.
So promoting the one thing they are great at, is the only real thing that sets them apart from the rest.
But when CEO's are only interested in cutting costs to increase profits for stakeholders. It's never going to happen. Good quality staff are not cheap.
One person can only answer 1 call, but that same person can have 6 to 10 digital chats with customers at the same time. Which is why they take so long to reply to online chats.

They also sum up where Trust Pilot is as far as reviews go.
2* poor, yet are just off the top of the ratings for banks. Constantly win/are in the top 3 of customer service awards.
Sadly trust pilot are simply not trustworthy any more for company reviews.

Speedbird676

IAMIAM said:

First Direct are predominately slipping down the league tables because they are not keeping up with digital quickly enough, compared to Nationwide/HSBC and Barclays etc where you can literally do anything and everything online

I find HSBC pretty crap for both their internet banking and app compared to other banks.

DayDreamerandGeneralWaster

Very happy with First Direct. Always helpful when I have spoken to them. Would not be tempted to move for £100.

ccdorset

Thank you for all the replies. Think I will give first direct another go in the new year. Sounds like their customer service is still decent and fingers crossed more improvements to their digital offering is on the way. 

jsmith9

Yes give them a go I don't think you will be disappointed. we are very lucky in this country having such a choice with bank accounts

anyway let us know how you get on Happy Christmas