First Direct Chat

Interesting… I wonder if the big banks are starting to get annoyed at customers opening accounts elsewhere for their holidays, and then wondering if the grass is greener?

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I suspect this is their attempt to match the HSBC global money card more than anything. I.e. rather than launch their own fee free card or piggy back or this drop the fees instead.

NatWest have also done this in the past however that was temporary. This seems permanent.

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Whatever the reason, it’s good to see long term downwards pressure in eliminating fees. :muscle:

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I didn’t even know First Direct offered an Online Bonus Saver, like HSBC.

That one skipped my radar :roll_eyes:

Any idea how long the £1000 has to stay in the account for the switch bonus?

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I payed £1k in on 10th June. CASS’d a chase account over on 20th June. £175 paid on 28th June.

Would it be wise to just keep the £1000 in it until you get paid? I started the CASS process and paid in the £1000 today.

And first impressions, very happy with it. The layout does remind me of Santander’s which I like. Nice and simple with all the features you need.

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I don’t think you need to. I left mine there to fund my regular saver account for a few months.

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And to be fair, if they complain, I can just show them the T&Cs that don’t specify a time the money has to stay in the account for.

Now, let’s just hope I can withdraw the money without triggering the fraud team…

And obviously they give us 3 months. If it doesnt work, I can just transfer it again in a few weeks.

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Well I managed to transfer it out without triggering the fraud checks. Much better than Lloyds so far

You don’t have to put £1k in.

There just has to be £1k go through the account within the specified time-frame - it’s not a £1k minimum balance.

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It’s a lot easier to keep track of it if I just deposit £1000 considering I have the money easily available.

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The way to look at it is this is a current account. The £1000 deposit is meant to try and get you to have your income through the account, but can be overcome by a simple bank transfer.

When people have their income (wages) deposited, they tend to then spend it on bills.

Hence the £1000 does not have to be in the account for more than a few seconds in reality

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Did anyone else have to call them to add their card to Google Pay? Just want to know what they asked so I’m prepared.

PAN = number (for those who aren’t sure what that is) :sweat_smile:

I’ve never said that term when speaking to anyone to avoid jargon.

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How long did it take you for someone to pick up the phone?

So today is just a bad day? I hung up after more than 20 minutes. Its just for Google wallet and you obviously don’t know how long more you’re going to have to sit on hold.

I’m personally happy with everything else. Just don’t understand why they make you go through this for Google Wallet when most other banks don’t.

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I never had this issue when I joined.

Just added to Apple Pay within 20 seconds.

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No idea why I have to do this either. I had absolutely no issues throughout any of the application so don’t see why I can’t just add it in the app (which is a feature they mention multiple times in the app).

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