First direct switch from HSBC?

jacoscar

I am looking at the £175 switching offer from First Direct but I have an HSBC account (opened before 2020)

the MSE wording is

Though if you've ever had ANY account with First Direct (such as a current account, credit card or mortgage), or you've opened a current account with HSBC since January 2020, you won't be eligible.


First Direct wording is

Switch using the Current Account Switch Service, deposit £1,000 within 3 months of account opening. New customers to first direct only, who have not previously held a first direct product. Sorry, we also can’t offer this to people who have opened an HSBC current account on or after 1 January 2020. Current account subject to status. Offer can be withdrawn at any time. UK residents only.

https://www.firstdirect.com/banking/current-account-mgm/?fd_msc=PCS0000031&cid=FSDT:la:A1:CA::2011:005:CA2020&mtp=agg&urn=5556d706-a27d-46b8-bfb6-3ef31a3410dc&dclid=CKG798f_r4IDFQAeBgAddD8LoA

This seems to say that if you have held the HSBC account since pre-2020, you should be fine, am I correct?

eskbanker

If you have an HSBC account that was opened before 2020 then yes, you're not excluded by the stipulation that "we also can’t offer this to people who have opened an HSBC current account on or after 1 January 2020".

Incidentally, ignore the MSE paraphrasing of the terms and always rely on those published by the actual provider....

tryin

It does seem that you should be OK. Although that's probably not what they meant, so you may need to fight them to get the money. But you should get it in the end.

BTW, you should also be able to get another £40 for opening the account if you go through TopCashBack.