First Direct Switching issue

1 Post
Newbie
I thought I would earn £175 and open a 7% regular saver by switching to First Direct. The website directs you to the app as the account will be open and showing immediately. I applied and got to end and it said your account is open, click to continue to setting up security and switching. The app then said error with app and closed down. I phoned FD and after 13 minutes they answered and then put me on hold for 18 further minutes to tell me I now needed to wait for royal mail strike to end for paper confirmation and then register for online banking. I may miss out on £175 for switching and 7% regular saver if withdrawn in meantime.
How on earth did they get to top for service?
How on earth did they get to top for service?
0
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(sorry I don't have anything helpful to add, maybe just to say that I've been with FD for years and never had issues with their service)
My acoount has been switched and was opened on the 3rd Jan, but they have not sent me a digital keypad, so I can't open the account. I don't want to use a phone app. They said it has been despatched and it must be in the post somewhere. I can't use my old account (which is closed and the money transferred) or the new account online. I have emailed via their own website to find out what is happening, but they say I must phone and go through security. What a shambles. So much for top service. Wish I hadn't bothered now.
Why not compromise (assuming you have a smartphone that'll run the app) and use the app until the physical thing arrives and then delete it?
You have your debit card and pin? So you can access cash and pay for stuff in a shop.
If the wait for your online access means you miss the current switch offer, don't despair. They will have another one before long.
Historically it was the only bank that used telephone banking exclusively. For paying in you needed to use HSBC.
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-Stash busting: 337 in 2022 Stash busting: in 2023. 18 doggy duvets, 13 bags, 2 scrunchies, 2 mittens, 2 bootees, 3 glass cases = total 40 ...£3.98 spent
everything was opened this week and app set up and activated so did a chat and started the switch which will complete next week.
have to say so far been as straightforward and painless as any other account opening, but will see how the switch goes.
I believe they are inundated with request and that certainly is the case with the savings account which will take longer to open than normal.
Debt 1 £7,700 original end date 09/2024, current £4,691.85 new end date 05/24
Debt 3 £614 original end date 12/2024, current balance £0.00
It's not even possible to apply online anymore; applications can only be made via app or phone call. I already knew of their Secure Key requirements (like HSBC), so I specifically enquired whether they still supply Physical Secure Keys for online banking access, but they just flatly said no, despite still sending replacements for existing customers who have no desire to switch to the Digital version. Obviously the agent was misinformed, which unfortunately isn't surprising.
Accounts are not people; contact details belong to individuals, not accounts. Joint accounts are independently operated by two individuals, and each individual has their own unique customer profile containing their personal email address and mobile number, which help maintain privacy and security (including audit trails). Your Regular Savers will also be individually held.