I’m half-and-half with first direct. I trust them more with my money than the fintechs (and most other mainstream banks) as any problems like AML checks, frozen funds or accounts, scams etc I feel their customer service at that point is going to be beneficial to getting it resolved quickly.
On the other hand they are massively stuck in the 90s. Can’t open a simple instant access savings account in the app without chatbot or calling them, no renaming accounts, pots, they never fixed being able to use the debit card at machines in branch etc
Although for my main account do I need anything more than the basics alongside solid customer service should anything go wrong…
To add to my “basic question bring answered by post” instead of doing that they’ve actually sent a letter confirming they’ve taken an action I didn’t request at all! No financial detriment, but not what I asked for and a mild inconvenience.
I would not raise anything like this by chat again. The credit product I have is good, and it’s nice having a chat on the phone everyone once in a while…but there is no way I would use them for my day to day banking!
I re-applied for a FD account after Chase axed the cash back after closing my FD account a few weeks prior, and switched my account back to them. While obviously not intentional () I’ve received the switch bonus for a second time this year.
Lol I told them that I had a first direct account before* but that still didn’t matter, I’m like I told you on sign up what’s going on? Still free money is free money.
*It was a looooooooong time ago but still. So long ago that what they call their 1st account used to be called a cheque account.
Is it just me or does it feel that First Direct has been left behind? There seems to be more focus on HSBC these days, and it feels the group aren’t pushing the brand as much as they used it. Could that be the start of integrating FD into HSBC UK as a single brand?
) I’ve received the switch bonus for a second time this year.