Apply via our link and First Direct* offers £125 if you switch to it. It's one of our top picks due to its excellent customer service – it's won every bank service poll we've ever done, with 90% of its customers rating it 'great'. You also get a small £250 0% overdraft, and can open a linked 5% regular saver.
Need-to-knows
To get the £125 switching bonus, open an account via our link then use First Direct's switching service to fully switch and close your existing account and pay in at least £1,000 within three months of your account opening.
Once you've made the payment, the £125 will be credited to your account within 28 working days.
If you have any problems with the switching process, you can contact First Direct's account opening team on 0800 24 24 24.
This account has a £10 monthly fee after six months, but this is waived each month you pay in £1,000, have an average monthly balance of £1,000 or hold selected other accounts with First Direct.
We've confirmed with First Direct that Norwich & Peterborough customers who are having their accounts closed can get the bonus by completing a manual switch. See key questions for more.
You can't get the switching bonus if you've ever held an account with First Direct before.
First Direct shares its £85,000 UK savings safety guarantee with HSBC, so ensure you don't hold more than £85,000 across the two banks.
10 comments
xp2500
5 Oct 17#10
The site seems to say £100 bonus instead of £125... is there something I am missing?
snoopy88
5 Oct 17#9
So i s First Direct separate from hsbc? Im a HSBC customer and just wondering if i could get this deal?
tolvegeta
5 Oct 17#8
I have a joint bank account with my wife. We were going to switch to HSBC for their current offer but than found out my wife had a current account with them still as she forgot to close it years ago.
Anyone no if we could switch to first direct and benefit from the switch offer?
gary333
5 Oct 17#7
I've been a First Direct customer for the last 7 years. The customer service used to be excellent however over the last 2 years the service is not anywhere near as good as it used to be (although probably no worse than it's closest competitors). Main change are the long queues rather than the content of the calls.
I had a very bad experience when I went to recommend a friend, it was clear at that point that it's not the bank it once was.
The 'new' app was the last straw for me. It really is terrible. I opened up a Nationwide account last year and have now decided to use this for my new account.
Although, free money is free money. It's worth changing if you have a decent credit score and are not intending to have major financial reshuffles in the near future (new mortgage, new car etc). Though, I would only ever use FD as a second account.
neish777
5 Oct 17#6
I have a mortgage with FD, would I still be classed as a new customer for a bank account?
moh223
4 Oct 17#4
Would it be ok to do the Halifax switch, get the bonus, and then switch to First Direct to get some more bonus?
eslick to moh223
4 Oct 17#5
you could but it will show as two credit hits on you file and first direct are one of the toughest on that.
We have been with FD since it started, tried others even just for the switching cash and they cant match them for service or easy of use of their website, unless you need the digital token which is now much better. We do have a Nationwide account as well for additional benefits for £12 that's worth it.
FD have saved us a fortune on our mortgage, just as the financial crash happened we signed up to a 0.59% above base rate for life time of the mortgage rate was only available for 1 day before it was pulled :smile:
Groovii.D
4 Oct 17#2
Nationwide offer £100 for you and £100 for the one the recommends you. Their flex plus offers great benefits for about £12 per month. Annual worldwide travel insurance, breakdown and recovery service and mobile cover. Works out well for us as if you have a joint account both parties are covered.
chapchap
4 Oct 17#1
I got this exact same deal a couple of years ago - you could also get paid for leaving them after six months. I’m happy with them myself
Dragon32 to chapchap
4 Oct 17#3
Same here - I joined them after leaving Barclays for silly overdraft charges and had plans on getting the leaving within a certain time bonus and a 2nd bonus from the bank I would join, but decided First Direct were too good to leave (wish I'd had left them to last to switch to).
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Opening post
Need-to-knows
10 comments
Anyone no if we could switch to first direct and benefit from the switch offer?
I had a very bad experience when I went to recommend a friend, it was clear at that point that it's not the bank it once was.
The 'new' app was the last straw for me. It really is terrible. I opened up a Nationwide account last year and have now decided to use this for my new account.
Although, free money is free money. It's worth changing if you have a decent credit score and are not intending to have major financial reshuffles in the near future (new mortgage, new car etc). Though, I would only ever use FD as a second account.
We have been with FD since it started, tried others even just for the switching cash and they cant match them for service or easy of use of their website, unless you need the digital token which is now much better. We do have a Nationwide account as well for additional benefits for £12 that's worth it.
FD have saved us a fortune on our mortgage, just as the financial crash happened we signed up to a 0.59% above base rate for life time of the mortgage rate was only available for 1 day before it was pulled :smile: