First Direct - new customer query

wortluck

I want to switch my current account to FD to claim the £175 switching bribe.  FD state that you must not EVER have had a FD account previously.  I think I had one about 20 years ago, and at a different address, does this mean I don't qualify?

eskbanker

Yes, that's what it means.

ColdIron

FD famously has a very long memory

Nasqueron

There is the odd anecdotal account on here of people with accounts more recently than that who got the bonus, it might be worth a try if you have a donor account and nothing major to lose by moving it

boingy

ColdIron said:

FD famously has a very long memory

I got the switch deal even though I had an HSBC account open when I started the switch so they don't fully apply their own rules at least some of the time. 

It's definitely worth a try with a burner account. It only costs a bit of time.

Ponchos

TopCashback also give £36.75 in cashback when you go through them to sign up with First Direct. From what I can tell, go to your TCB, find FD, follow the referral link to FD website, go to Bank Accounts at the top of the screen, then Ways to Bank, go to Our Mobile app, scroll down and scan the QR code which will download the FD app from your store, and then follow the app for signing up. I've just done this myself and am currently waiting for their reply to my application, so I can't currently confirm if this definitely works, but if you can get both FD and TCB money then that's £211.75 rewards.

Ponchos

This being said (my previous message), can anyone who has recently switched to FD tell me how long it takes to be accepted? I went through all the sign up stuff in the app on Thursday 11th and they said they'd do some checks and get back to me. When I've switched to Lloyds and Barclays recently they've accepted me instantly. How long should I expect to wait, and how do they contact you with their answer? They have my phone number and email address as part of the sign up, so expect it would be one of these. Address too, but that takes longer of course. TIA

mr_accountant

I've received £175 from FD despite not being eligible as I received a bonus in 2020 and have also opened up two HSBC advance current accounts in 2022 and 2023

I opened the FD account at the end of December the switch completed in the second week of January and have just received the bonus so all in all very rapid from FD

Just waiting for the £35 from topcashback

Largs

I was declined the bonus as had one around year 2000.  I used a different email address and my postal address is also different.  Still a knock back.  They knew I had had one previously.  How long are they holding on to my details??????

boingy

Largs said:

 How long are they holding on to my details??????

Pretty much forever. All banks do. Nationwide still have my account application form from over 35 years ago.

Nasqueron

Largs said:

I was declined the bonus as had one around year 2000.  I used a different email address and my postal address is also different.  Still a knock back.  They knew I had had one previously.  How long are they holding on to my details??????

Banks are allowed to hold records as long as reasonably necessary, it's normally 6 years minimum but some may have basic data such as your name/DoB on a live system with old records archived away so they can find them if necessary.

boingy said:

Largs said:

 How long are they holding on to my details??????

Pretty much forever. All banks do. Nationwide still have my account application form from over 35 years ago.

If you are a current customer, they have no reason to get rid of old data, the 6 year rule doesn't kick in until you are a former customer and even then, in the digital age, if they want to store data for longer they can