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first direct reviews

First Direct Logo
Rated Excellent 4.69/5

first direct reviews

Verified businesses always have up to date contact details and can respond to reviews.

Verified business
Last reviewed within 7 days
  • Fully digital service with no in-person branches
    Fully digital service with no in-person branches
  • Manage your account or policy via an app or website
    Manage your account or policy via an app or website
  • Offers digital wallet and contactless payment support
    Offers digital wallet and contactless payment support
  • FCA approved and regulated
    FCA approved and regulated

Review summary

People rate this company as Excellent based on 1,787 product reviews

Average score of 4.69/5
5 star
84%
4 star
9%
3 star
2%
2 star
1%
1 star
4%
Reviews for first direct have trended positively over the past 90 days

First Direct nails it with brilliant customer service that’s always quick, friendly and easy to reach, making banking feel personal and hassle-free. Their app is straightforward and reliable, perfect for managing money on the go, while their regular saver account offers some of the best interest rates around. On the downside, some find the app a bit basic and limited compared to newer banks, with occasional glitches and restrictions like early cut-off times for payments. A few have also noticed a dip in service quality recently and wish the bank rewarded loyal customers better instead of focusing on switcher incentives.

Positive themes

  • First Direct’s customer service is quick, friendly and always easy to reach by phone or app.
  • The First Direct app is simple to use and reliable for everyday banking tasks.
  • First Direct’s regular saver account offers some of the best interest rates available.

Negative themes

  • The app lacks some modern features and can be glitchy or limited in functionality.
  • Customer service has declined recently with longer waits and less helpful staff.
  • Some customers faced issues with fraud handling and felt unsupported by First Direct.
Summarised by AI
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About first direct

first direct is a digital bank with headquarters in Leeds.

first direct is a division of HSBC UK Bank. It was founded in 1989 and was the UK's first telephone bank and the first to offer 24/7 service.

first direct help customers with bank accounts, mortgages, loans, credit cards, savings, investments and insurance.

first direct at a glance

Contact details

Phone
03456 100 100
Main address
first direct, 40 Wakefield Road, Leeds, LS98 1FD
Social media

Reviews for first direct

Showing 11 of 1787 company reviews Last reviewed within 7 days

Always there when I need them

Current Account 24th February 2026

Always there when I need them, I recently had my card skimmed while on holiday and had numerous fraudulent transactions made - thankfully notifications from... Always there when I need them, I recently had my card skimmed while on holiday and had numerous fraudulent transactions made - thankfully notifications from their app alerted me, and it was swiftly dealt with on the phone, the transactions were reversed and a new card was on its way to me. Read more Read less

Rated Excellent 5/5
Read more product reviews

Excellent customer service.

Current Account 19th February 2026

All queries answered satisfactory and problems resolved.

Rated Excellent 5/5
Read more product reviews
  • 5/5

    Fixed rate mortgage

    Have had a 5 year fixed rate mortgage with a fantastic interest rate.

    {"display":"Shirley A","full_name":"Shirley A","avatar":{"url":"\/assets\/images\/default_new.png"}}'s avatar
    Fixed Rate Mortgage
    Shirley A 19th February 2026
  • 5/5

    Still great after all these years

    Been with this phone /on line bank from the very early days, always prompt, reasonable rates and excellent customer service and contact. I ‘ain’t’ going nowhere !

    {"display":"Mike","full_name":"Mike","avatar":{"url":"\/assets\/images\/default_new.png"}}'s avatar
    Current Account
    Mike 16th February 2026
  • 4/5

    Bonus saving account with First Di...

    I have this and other savings accounts with First Direct it is very easy to use via their App and provides a good return giving... I have this and other savings accounts with First Direct it is very easy to use via their App and provides a good return giving instant access, if needed, for a months loss of the bonus intrest. Highly recommend this savings account. Read more Read less

    {"display":"BobA","full_name":"BobA","avatar":{"url":"\/assets\/images\/default_new.png"}}'s avatar
    Bonus Saving Account
    BobA 14th February 2026
  • 4/5

    First Direct Review

    I've been with First Direct from when the Midland Bank First offerred as an incentive to move to s 24/7 Bank. I have always found... I've been with First Direct from when the Midland Bank First offerred as an incentive to move to s 24/7 Bank. I have always found them to be honest and reliable. Like some of the reasent reviewers I have noticed a small drop in customer service in the past 12 months. Their App is excellent to use but in terms of what you can do within it compared to other newer banks is limited and needs reviewing. Appart from their ISA the savings systems offered are very good with reasonable interest rates and I currently use them. The above said I must clarrify my ratings, I never give 5/5 or 10/10 as every company has room for improvement and, in my opinion, those who give these scores have been incentivised or otherwise rewarded. Read more Read less

    {"display":"BobA","full_name":"BobA","avatar":{"url":"\/assets\/images\/default_new.png"}}'s avatar
    Current Account
    BobA 14th February 2026
  • 5/5

    The app is very clear and easy to use.

    The app is very clear and easy to use. It also shows the account value after each transaction, which makes it easy to track spending.... The app is very clear and easy to use. It also shows the account value after each transaction, which makes it easy to track spending. The account is simple and has everything you need in one place. Transferring money is quick and simple, as is checking direct debits Read more Read less

    {"display":"Mike S","full_name":"Mike S","avatar":{"url":"\/assets\/images\/default_new.png"}}'s avatar
    Current Account
    Mike S 14th February 2026
  • 5/5

    Brilliant service, very reliable

    Brilliant service, very reliable

    {"display":"Andy","full_name":"Andy","avatar":{"url":"\/assets\/images\/default_new.png"}}'s avatar
    Current Account
    Andy 13th February 2026
  • 5/5

    No need to look any further

    I have been with First Direct for 36 years and have always found it to be a friendly and efficient service with an easy to... I have been with First Direct for 36 years and have always found it to be a friendly and efficient service with an easy to use web/app interface and great staff in the call centre if you need them. I have used several facilities, including current and savings accounts and have always found that they are feature rich as offer value for money compared with similar market products Read more Read less

    {"display":"Phil","full_name":"Phil","avatar":{"url":"\/assets\/images\/default_new.png"}}'s avatar
    Current Account
    Phil 13th February 2026
  • 5/5

    So easy to get hold of!!!

    So easy to get hold of and when you speak to someone over the phone they are super helpful!

    {"display":"Brooke","full_name":"Brooke","avatar":{"url":"\/assets\/images\/default_new.png"}}'s avatar
    Current Account
    Brooke 12th February 2026
  • 5/5

    Best by far

    The rate is one of the most competitive so quick and easy to setup and their service is second to none.

    {"display":"Jordm","full_name":"Jordm","avatar":{"url":"\/assets\/images\/default_new.png"}}'s avatar
    Regular Saver Account
    Jordm 12th February 2026

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