First Direct £100 switch offer is back

colsten

Gift horse, mouth, etc etc

joebob

Got my £100 paid in today.

rallycurve

rallycurve said:

rallycurve said:

I also applied last Monday (22nd Feb) and on Wednesday (24th) got the text saying they are busy. I haven't heard anything until just now when I've got a text saying my account is open and my welcome pack's on the way. My account switch was scheduled to start on the 4th, let's see if I am all set up by when it completes

Not happy with First Direct so far. The worst registration process I have ever had, and I have opened quite a few bank accounts in the last years.

So to follow up my initial message: I received my welcome pack and debit card last Thursday (4th) and instructions to set up my phone security thing. I was really happy that this would be done online. It was just answering a couple of security questions (most of them details you entered for your initial application) and setting up your phone password and security questions (place of birth, mother's maiden name, memorable date and memorable place). They would send a text within 48h to confirm all done.

I've been patiently waiting for my text until today Tuesday 9th when I have decided to phone them. Note that you need your security password to register for online banking. I had to go through similar questions to the ones I went online and finally got my phone security set up.

While on the phone I tried to register for online banking but I kept getting an error saying that there was a problem with my connection. The phone advisor was sure this was my problem and suggested trying a different browser which I did with the same result. At this point I was cut-off - did they hang up? I tried with different browsers on different devices with no luck.

So I went to the live chat asking for a solution and they gave me a new number to phone. This time a very useful agent sorted my problem very quickly. It wasn't on my end after all: they seem to have different security systems and it was rejecting my phone password so they had to be manually syncronised (presumably my online form worked, although I used the same password in both cases)

OK so I'm finally ready to access my online account after 5 days plus 16 minutes on the phone.

I register for online banking with another set of security questions and passwords and... I now need a secure key to log in and they encourage me to use the app and get an instant digital secure key. I refuse to use the app (call me old fashion) so I have to call and request a physical security key. Unfortunately I had another problem with the line and had to make 2 phone calls, on the second one they could not access my account as it was still locked from my previous call! Wait 15 minutes and call again. Now I have ordered my physical key which will arrive in 5 days and this has cost me another 10 minutes on the phone in total. I'll have to keep waiting to access my new account then.

In the meantime, my switch deadline was missed and they are delaying it for another week. Not that I mind since I am still unable to see and operate with my current account other than on the phone. For the record, I did not select the first available date for my switch but one week later so to give time to be able to access my account... Optimistic I was.

Ah, I do not have free calls so I am already using some of the incentive money before I have even switched! At least I wasn't put on hold and was transferred immediately to an agent.

Just to finish the story in case it is of help for anyone in the future.

I received the secure key on Wednesday 17th and could finally access my bank account using online banking. This is 24 days after application and 15 days after account opening. And just before my switch date, which completed smoothly today. I am only waiting for the incentive to be paid now.

rallycurve

Fair play to them, I already got the £100 switch incentive. This time they were quick.