No notifications on the credit card.
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This doesn’t work all the time, from FD anyway. I have sometimes received messages in the app stating the payment cannot be made. I’ll take a screenshot if I get the message again.
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You, normally, need to let it catchup, at least with HSBC and I’d imagine it’s the same. Normally I’ll let it do its magic track of disappearing and reappearing and go to sleep, paying it off the day after (HSBC).
Doesn’t seem to ever let you pay it off any sooner than this.
I’d probably use a debit card instead of doing what you do, however, we all manage our finances in different ways so each to their own.
As others have said, no credit card notifications, only for the debit card and even then it seems to be a mixed bag in terms of reliability.
I always get a receipt anyway, and it proves my payment/purchase (such as if you get stopped in a supermarket on the way out) and also any mistakes can be rectified there and then.
The Italians have it right - you are presented with a receipt for pretty much everything you purchase. Up to you to do with it as you so please. We are very lax in this country on this front.
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Asked First Direct if closing an account and credit card with HSBC in the last few months would impact applying with them and got the following:
"Hi.
Yes you would need to give us a call on 03456 100 100 to apply for a current account.
If agreed and once the current account is up and running you can then apply for a credit card online. first direct are a bank in our own right, part of the HSBC group.
Closing a current account and credit card, doesn’t affect applying to us. It is fine to have accounts and products with both banks."
Interesting. So I suppose you can be a different bank but use the same banking license?
Yup. Why I thought it was interesting to say “we are a bank in our own right” rather than brand. A subjective definition perhaps?
I think it would be this, the way they operate in terms of their procedures, underwriting, service approaches, marketing, branding, style, tone of voice etc would be different to HSBC. Infrastructure wise, they are closely more intertwined with the group parent company.
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Had this debate before with FD. They’re separate banks but also part of HSBC when it suits. In the past I’ve been contacted by HSBC’s offshore Fraud Dept to allow a payment to go through.
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To me, if the protection covers both banks - they are the same bank effectively as a customer from a protection point of view.
I agree! It’s a bit of a blurry one to average joe though if they’re saying we are a bank in our own right 
I suppose it’s not really an issue for most people - few have more than £85,000 to worry.
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Officially they are the same bank. HSBC just allows them a degree of semi independence.
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I know some who do but only due to bereavement and the madness that is the UK housing market.
I haven’t had any issues adding my debit card to apple wallet on my iPhone or watch, however have had 2 Apple Pay transactions declined since opening the account 3 weeks ago. Both were foreign transactions.
Neither could be resolved over chat, had to call and was transferred to the fraud team, resolved in 10 mins or so.
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It must be ApplePay they don’t like as I’ve never had any issues adding my FD cards to Google Wallet.
Intriguing…
We get it, banks are all about numbers.
Counting cash, calculating loans, keeping an eye on your outgoings.
But to us, there are certain things that are more important than just numbers. And that’s you.
You - who we think is honestly like a 10/10 most days (oh wait, that’s a number). You, the one who’s been with us since 13/10/1989, through thick and thin, black and white.
And we think it’s about time we show you how great we think you are. So, keep your eyes on your inbox because we’ve got a very nice lineup coming your way.
Until then #7861, we mean David, thanks for being you.
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May I ask why?
I’ve currently got multiple accounts and have had a lot more and haven’t really had any major issues with any of them
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I’m happy with Santander. I have my current and some savings accounts with them. However, they don’t have all the features some want, such as notifications.
I’ve been with First Direct for a while now and again, no issues, but obviously they are off the table for you.
I’ve also got HSBC and just got Bank of Scotland but don’t really use either of them enough to really judge them fully yet
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I would say RBS had the best app experience of all the banks I used. Lots of features that worked and the layout was good for most people. Personally, felt too cluttered for me but I doubt most will care about this
What one person judges to be a major issue, another will regard as a minor inconvenience.
You sound like you’re looking for the perfect bank, but you might have to settle for the least worst.
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