First Direct £175 switching offer 09/09/2024

moneyworrier2021

Someone on Andy Webs Youtube channel reckons they have received this switch Bonus' 3 times this year alone. Anyone else had luck applying more than once?

dertinbay

moneyworrier2021 said:

Someone on Andy Webs Youtube channel reckons they have received this switch Bonus' 3 times this year alone. Anyone else had luck applying more than once?

Yes, received twice in past year or so, thought attempting a 3rd would’ve been pushing it!

71058

I have a question regarding data retention and bonus eligibility.

The MSE eligibility section states “You can't have ever had ANY account with First Direct (such as a current account, credit card or mortgage).”

I have previously received a switching bonus from First Direct, I estimate that this was in 2015 or 2016. Knowing myself I will have probably switched to another account to get a bonus a few months later, so the account was probably closed in or by 2017.

If I view my TransUnion credit report within the MSE app, there is absolutely no mention of my previous First Direct account under the closed accounts section.

I opened a current account with sister bank HSBC in 2019 which I still use to this day. I’m aware that this alone would make me ineligible for the bonus, but let’s please just ignore that fact for the purpose of my following question... 

If I were to switch to First Direct and meet all the paying in and direct debit criteria, would I receive the bonus?

My thinking is that having closed my First Direct account 7 or 8 years ago, First Direct should have no record of who I am to comply with data retention, and therefore wouldn’t be able to determine whether I have previously been a customer or not? Is that the case? I am by no means an expert on the DPA Act 2018.

My name has not changed during this time, but my address has indeed changed since banking with First Direct.

Does First Direct still retain my information to know that I once banked with them?

Also, as an active HSBC customer, would they share information with First Direct? For example when I changed address.

Nasqueron

71058 said:

I have a question regarding data retention and bonus eligibility.

The MSE eligibility section states “You can't have ever had ANY account with First Direct (such as a current account, credit card or mortgage).”

I have previously received a switching bonus from First Direct, I estimate that this was in 2015 or 2016. Knowing myself I will have probably switched to another account to get a bonus a few months later, so the account was probably closed in or by 2017.

If I view my TransUnion credit report within the MSE app, there is absolutely no mention of my previous First Direct account under the closed accounts section.

I opened a current account with sister bank HSBC in 2019 which I still use to this day. I’m aware that this alone would make me ineligible for the bonus, but let’s please just ignore that fact for the purpose of my following question... 

If I were to switch to First Direct and meet all the paying in and direct debit criteria, would I receive the bonus?

My thinking is that having closed my First Direct account 7 or 8 years ago, First Direct should have no record of who I am to comply with data retention, and therefore wouldn’t be able to determine whether I have previously been a customer or not? Is that the case? I am by no means an expert on the DPA Act 2018.

My name has not changed during this time, but my address has indeed changed since banking with First Direct.

Does First Direct still retain my information to know that I once banked with them?

Also, as an active HSBC customer, would they share information with First Direct? For example when I changed address.

First Direct are allowed to store data as long as they can justify it, the standard minimum is 6 years but they can have a record that says 71058 had a bonus in 2017 for this purpose. If you opened an account with HSBC but no bonus in 2019 you might be eligible

WillPS

71058 said:

I have a question regarding data retention and bonus eligibility.

The MSE eligibility section states “You can't have ever had ANY account with First Direct (such as a current account, credit card or mortgage).”

I have previously received a switching bonus from First Direct, I estimate that this was in 2015 or 2016. Knowing myself I will have probably switched to another account to get a bonus a few months later, so the account was probably closed in or by 2017.

If I view my TransUnion credit report within the MSE app, there is absolutely no mention of my previous First Direct account under the closed accounts section.

I opened a current account with sister bank HSBC in 2019 which I still use to this day. I’m aware that this alone would make me ineligible for the bonus, but let’s please just ignore that fact for the purpose of my following question... 

If I were to switch to First Direct and meet all the paying in and direct debit criteria, would I receive the bonus?

My thinking is that having closed my First Direct account 7 or 8 years ago, First Direct should have no record of who I am to comply with data retention, and therefore wouldn’t be able to determine whether I have previously been a customer or not? Is that the case? I am by no means an expert on the DPA Act 2018.

My name has not changed during this time, but my address has indeed changed since banking with First Direct.

Does First Direct still retain my information to know that I once banked with them?

Also, as an active HSBC customer, would they share information with First Direct? For example when I changed address.

I'd cordially suggest that while First Direct might exclude you in the terms they're unlikely to actually not pay you - I'd give it a try and see. Worst they can say is 'sorry you're not eligible'.

RobertKr

I have the latest update in terms of the second incentive from FD. I had account with FD in the past (I opened it around covid start, April 2020, received free £ and closed it in Sep 21(I think I switched it to other bank to get another £). I also had HSBC current account and I think I also received free £, I think I opened it after I closed FD.
I recently (more than month ago) opened new FD current account, I gave them new email/phone number, the rest (my name, address etc details the same), fulfilled all requirements (DD, pay in, 5 debit card transactions) and today I received £175 so it is possible.
I also previously received 3 x incentives from RBS, Natwest and Ulster Bank by doing correct switch (using the same emails/phone numbers) so they don't check it (or not always).

danny13579

RobertKr said:

I have the latest update in terms of the second incentive from FD. I had account with FD in the past (I opened it around covid start, April 2020, received free £ and closed it in Sep 21(I think I switched it to other bank to get another £). I also had HSBC current account and I think I also received free £, I think I opened it after I closed FD.
I recently (more than month ago) opened new FD current account, I gave them new email/phone number, the rest (my name, address etc details the same), fulfilled all requirements (DD, pay in, 5 debit card transactions) and today I received £175 so it is possible.

In contrast, I had an account with First Direct, closed it in 2020. Opened a new one in 2022 and was declined a switching bonus. I also opened a new HSBC account in 2023, never having had one before and they also declined me the switching bonus.

I also previously received 3 x incentives from RBS, Natwest and Ulster Bank by doing correct switch (using the same emails/phone numbers) so they don't check it (or not always).

They do check, just not with each other. You won't get 2 bonuses from RBS after their cut off date, though you can get more than one bonus from them if one was before the cut off date and one after. Same with NatWest and Ulster.

Dustlandfairytale

I've always discounted FD switch bonuses as I didn't think I'd qualify. I held a FD account in the early 2000's and and was actively using the HSBC Advance until a couple of years ago.This time I decided to chance it and meet the criteria for the switch bonus as I wanted the Reg Saver anyway.  £175 Joining Incentive landed in my account yesterday.   

moneyworrier2021

Husbands FD £175 came through yesterday. Now switching onto Co-Op.

71058

Thanks for your responses. You have convinced me to give a 2nd First Direct switch a try, however it won't be for a while as I've just recently switched to Santander, so I may try the FD switch in the new year, assuming I don't get tied up with another more certain switch offer following the Satander one!