First Direct - anyone bank with them?

I've banked with them for a number of years and have found them absolutely excellent. No idea about current account applications as MrH already had one so getting a joint one for us wasn't a problem.

We have a FD account and opened it during the credit crunch without any problems.

I really like them, much more of a friendly bank than RBS who we were with before and the online system is so easy to use. You can apply online and what have you got to lose, if they did say no, you aren't in any a worse place! I like that it's all over the phone/internet/ by post but you can pay cash into HSBC if you need to.

Their current accounts are changing from Maestro to Visa Debit, which is great.

I would recommend them to anyone. ?

Also, we moved from them to RBS and really regretted it. After about 2/3 years, we gave up and moved back to First Direct as they are far supierior IMO.

Hazel - thanks sounds like you are pleased them.

Mrs Magic (or anyone!) - what is the advantage of Visa Debit, my OH has this with the Halifax and I've no idea what the difference between that and Maestro is? I also didn't realise you can pay cash in via HSBC.

I've banked with them for years and have absolutely no complaints about them whatsover.

MrsM, I didn't know they are moving to Visa debit. That's vay good news.

What if I applied and they refused? Would this go on my credit rating or not? If not, then as Mrs M says I might just apply and see what happens, they've got to better than HSBC!

I love First Direct; I've been with them for about 10 years and my husband for about 20. He also has his business banking with them, and we moved to one of their mortgages last year, too. Excellent service on all fronts - I think a lot of other retail banks could learn from them.

I have a vague memory niggling at me that you have to have a certain amount of "credit", ie a salary, going into your account each month, in order to qualify for the "free" banking package. I'm sure they were in the news c. 3-5 years ago about this; they were trying to weed out all the customers who were an overhead rather than a benefit - the people who signed up because of the interest free overdraft of £500 but didn't then use any of their other products: loans, cards etc. Not sure how much of that is still relevant in the current climate though.

HSBC haven't had a government bail out have they? Perhaps that will also impact the group firms' new customer criteria.

HTH.

I have a joint account at FD with my H where all our bills are paid from. We have never had any prolems with them. In fact, when a direct debit was paid early, taking us over our overdraft limit, we didn't receive a charge at all. Very nice people!

The only down side is that they don't pay interest on any money that sits there, although at the moment, I don't think many places do. I have my main bank account with Nationwide (who don't charge for making ATM withdrawals abroad, and as a result you often get a better exchange rate) and they still do pay interest, although you do have to pay at least £1000 (or something like that) each month.

One thing to be mindful of is too many credit scores can have an adverse reaction on your credit rating. However, companies prefer you to have some credit somewhere, which then puts people who have never held a credit card, never been in debt etc at a disadvantage

I've banked with them for the past ten years and have absolutely no complaints. I like their online banking and the few times I've had direct dealings over the phone, I've found their staff to be both pleasant and efficient. They were very helpful when my credit card was cloned a few months ago and had re-credited my account within hours. I've not had experience of their overdrafts, loans, bank charges etc so can't comment on that side of things.

My salary would be paid into the account I'll see if I can find any info on how much it needs to be on their website.

Thank you for all your help, I have a meeting now so please don't think I'm ignoring everyone.

I have banked with them for about 8 years and think they are great - never had any problems with them at all. When we opened up our joint accounts with them, H was so impressed that he decided to move over from Nationwide.

Re non paying interest - they do have easy access savings accounts that do pay interest which they advise you use next to your current account and just transfer money between the two. That is what I do anyway.

In terms of applying, I think there rules are you need £1500 per month going in to your current account or you need other products from them (mortgage, savings acc, credit card)

That rings a bell - though I think it's not so much that they don't accept you otherwise, but that they charge you for banking. Those criteria mean you get free banking

Yes, sorry. I think Hazel is right.

A 14 year customer of FD here.

Truly great. I'm racking my brains to think of any problems I might have had with them and I can't think of any. If they say they are going to call you back for whatever reason, they do and at the specified time and their assistance with all the foreign transactions that went through my account when living at France was invaluable.

Another one here who thinks that they're great. Been with them about 4 years and no complaints so far. I don't have any regular payments going into my current account, but I do have a couple of savings accounts and my banking is 'free'.

Thanks everyone. I've just checked on their website and the minimum amount to go into the account has to be £1500 a month which will be fine. I'm going to apply and see what they say. ?

FD are also doing a 'free trial' thing at the moment, where they'll give you £100 if you switch to them, and if you're not happy after 6 months they'll give you another £100 and help you move back. There are a few conditions, but if you're thinking of banking with them, now is the time to go for it!

We moved over in about Oct/Nov time, from Nationwide who were awful (hence why we left them) and cocked up even our account closing. They have just sent me a nice cheque though, so it was probably worth the hassle ? FD are brilliant - you ring them and they answer the phone, which totally took me aback! The call centre staff are knowledgeable and helpful. This sounds like common sense stuff but after being with Nationwide for about 6 years, it is refreshingly good customer service.

I was with Midland bank (HSBC) about 10 years ago and they were shyte, so I wasn't keen to move to FD but had lots of recommendations, and they have not disappointed.

We don't have loads of cash or anything and they let us in no probs.

I used to work for them so feel free to pm me if you need any advice. You don't have to pay the banking fee if you have another product with them eg a credit card or even a savings account with v little in it. There is usually an offer for you to move your banking but you have to pay in £1500 per month for that. They don't do business accounts so whoever has one with them should keep i quiet!! Movement between FD and HSBC is immediate so you may ant to keep both accounts. There was no problem with opening accounts when I was there - they want your business.

hth

I'm a huge fan of FD- the operatives are always friendly, helpful and reliable. We've got our mortgage with them too and they were really efficient with that too.

Another fan here- my mate works for a major bank and recommended FD when they first opened, so have had my account there for many years.

Even now we live overseas they are generally v good...call me here in Oz if they see strange things on my account, and always note when we are off on our hols so we don't have 'suspicious' checks on our account whilst abroad. And for transfers from UK to OZ are good too- quick efficient, good negotiable exchange rates.

Apologies I've just seen this. Thanks for the offer. I applied online on Wednesday afternoon but haven't heard anything yet not sure if this is something I should be worried about - presuambly credit checks might take a day or so? I was going to ring this afternoon just to see if they knew what was happening, I thought they may have been in contact sooner. Our home phone isn't working at the minute which might explain why but I did provide my mobile number and my email address.

I don't think I'd keep my HSBC account, not sure why I'd need to? I have other (savings) accounts elsewhere so I should be fine with one current a/c.

Thanks for the info.

This is true, but they have their everyday e-saver (I think that is what it is called) which does offer interest and is instant access so we've just moved most of our 'current account' money into that account instead and just have the current account (none interest paying) one with some money to cover the bills and DD that are coming out of it. And as it's all internet based it's very easy to move money between the accounts should we need to.

FD regular saver ISA is paying 7%. Hard to beat and I'd rather sweep up my savings and put them away tax free than leave them sitting in a current account paying almost nothing.

I've been with FD for about 15 years and have never had one single cause to complain.

I work for a rival FS company yet bank with FD - go figure. Actually, for current accounts they are the best in my experience, as the primary concern is service, but for savings, mortgages and investments, look elsewhere as they don't have the best rates.

Their offset mortgage is usually top or second in the sunday times recommendations every week - you do need savings to make it work for you and as with a lot of providers now you need a reasonable deposit. I agree with savings products though but you can't run a business and be the most competitive with all products.

L x

I have banked with them for four years now - after moving from Lloyds. I find them excellent.

Their interest rates on savings are poor though.