1st Direct account opening

nadolig

I tried online all morning to open a current account with 1st Direct. After failing completely, and after 4 phone calls to different departments, I was told that I could only open an account using their App. As I do not have a smartphone, merely a laptop, I was told that the only other possible way could be via MSE/Moneysupermarket. Unfortunately this doesn't work either. Attempts to open an account on the phone were equally unsuccessful.

Bridlington1

You should be able to apply online via the link on the MSE website:
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/banking/compare-best-bank-accounts/#switch

If you've tried applying via the link, what sort of issues were you running into? How far into the application were you getting before it failed?

lr1277

I haven’t read the articles but offer this as an existing FD customer.
Without an appropriate smartphone you are going to have difficulty logging into the website from your computer.
You need a code to log into the website from your computer. One possibility is that your app provides the code.
The other possibility is there is a keypad that will generate a code. However last time I asked, FD said this would take a few weeks to arrive. So you won’t be able to login without either method.

Edited to add: sorry should have made clear, once the account is open, you need the code to open the website for your account. To get the code you need the app or keypad code generator. But if you have the app, you can bank on the app.

oldernonethewiser

My original keypad eventually died after many years and I used the app for a few days while I waited for them to send me a new keypad. 

You can't have both. Either you use the web interface with a keypad to generate codes or you use the app.

nadolig

Thanks for your suggestion Bridlington1, but the link just takes you to a page which invites you to apply, but when clicking on 'Apply Now'  one is just invited to download the App. It was trying to get round this which appears to be impossible as I have been told on the phone that there is no alternative, It's the App or nothing. 

PloughmansLunch

I helped someone who doesn't use apps of any kind open and switch into a FD account a couple of months ago (and they subsequently had to request one of the dinky little key generator keyrings). It seems like First Direct have changed things recently, but if you try Bridlington1's link above and click the black 'Apply online for a sole account' button it should take you to the actual application form (also linked here)

Bridlington1

nadolig said:

Thanks for your suggestion Bridlington1, but the link just takes you to a page which invites you to apply, but when clicking on 'Apply Now'  one is just invited to download the App. It was trying to get round this which appears to be impossible as I have been told on the phone that there is no alternative, It's the App or nothing. 

That's odd. When I click on the link and scroll down I come to this:

This bit should be immediately below where the original "Apply now" button takes you to.

If I click the "Apply online for a sole account" button in the middle of  the screenshot I get this:

Upon Clicking "Confirm and start" I am invited to input my personal details.

northwalesd

I only recently opened a FD account, I definitely didn't have to use the app to apply.

nadolig

Thanks again Bridlington. There are 2 links to 1st Direct on the intro page, The one in the left hand box was the one I was using which brought me to a dead end, After your reply I tried the other link in the right hand box and it came up just as you said. I have now successfully completed my application thanks to you, in spite of being told on the phone by 3 different people that I could only apply via the App. .