First Direct Closing First Directory, who offer similar?

d2too

Received a letter today from First direct about them closing the First directory that we pay for.

We are going to loose holiday insurance, phone insurance, break down car cover etc.

No reason to stay with them now as their interest rates are not that competitive.

Who else offers a similar service to the First Directory?

Nasqueron

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/banking/best-packaged-bank-accounts/

flaneurs_lobster

No reason to stay with them now as their interest rates are not that competitive.

Their Regular Saver paying 7% Fixed on £300/mth is close to market-leading.

Their other rates for larger amounts are not so impressive.

The_Groat_Counter

The fee-free £250 overdraft is a useful backup.

subjecttocontract

The Co-Op bank offers similar cover.....I think it's £18 a month.

PaperPauper

I was wondering about this too. I've been a First Direct customer since 1991 I think, and have mainly valued their customer service above all else, but have sensed that even this has dropped a bit over the last five years or so. Their interest rates and products have never been that competitive and their tech looks dated next to the likes of Monzo and co. Withdrawing First Directory without a replacement is a bit of a nail in the coffin, after all, it's not like they are producing many new and innovative products to replace them.

kermchem

Breakdown cover, travel insurance and phone cover are each available with the appropriate accounts from Lloyds or Nationwide (and probably several others).

mta999

Nationwide products are competitive and £18 a month

morgmonster

Virgin money is another one to look at, just went up to £14 a month and covers all the things you said above. As you mention "we", assuming you're in a couple, just make sure you open it as a joint account in order to get the breakdown cover to cover both of you (as drivers or passengers).

Alfredi

I’m in the same boat, having been with FD since the start, over 30 years ago.

As a retiree I now have to find an equivalent annual travel policy, plus RAC cover, the former of which is not so easy given age and my partner’s health.

so I wrote to the FD CEO and asked for an explanation, but he got an underling to mail me back with a load of corporate blather. I asked for a 1 year grace period for the travel insurance, as I’ve booked holidays out to 2027 expecting their travel insurance to remain for another year - it sold itself as an annual policy after all. However they have said quite firmly “no”. After 35+ years of custom with them, I’m not amused.

Frankly this is a retail bank that used to be excellent but has faded to mediocre and I’ll probably use this as an opportunity to jump ship. Their savings rates, ISAs, loans, mortgages, insurance and stock broking services have never been good and I’ve had to shop these around over the decades, so it won’t be hard to find a replacement. I might just have a standalone travel policy with SAGA because they like us oldies. I can’t understand why moneyexpert raves about their customer service…it’s nothing special.

Woodstok2000

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82045530#Comment_82045530

Switch to Nationwide. Their packaged cover has no upper age limit, unlike FD, which only goes up to 70.