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first direct reviews

First Direct Logo
Rated Excellent • 4.70/5

first direct reviews

Verified business Last reviewed within 7 days
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  • 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 1,895 product reviews

Average score of 4.70/5
5 star
84%
4 star
9%
3 star
2%
2 star
1%
1 star
3%
Reviews for first direct have trended negatively over the past 90 days

First Direct shines with its outstanding customer service, always easy to reach a friendly UK-based advisor who sorts things quickly. Their app and online banking are generally straightforward and reliable, making day-to-day banking a breeze. The Regular Saver account is a favourite for its excellent interest rates, though some wish for higher limits. On the downside, a few find the app and online features limited or clunky, and some have faced frustrating issues with transfers, security checks, or switching. Overall, it’s a solid bank with a loyal following who value personal service above all.

Positive themes

  • First Direct’s customer service is brilliant, always quick, friendly and helpful on the phone. (101 mentions)
  • The app and online banking with First Direct are easy to use and make managing money simple. (51 mentions)
  • First Direct’s Regular Saver account offers excellent interest rates and is easy to set up and manage. (22 mentions)

Negative themes

  • Some find First Direct’s app and online banking limited or tricky compared to newer banks. (9 mentions)
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 1895 company reviews • Last reviewed within 7 days

You can get them on the phone with ease.

Credit card • 13th October 2026

They are available on the phone without half an hour of fighting a chatbot.

{"display":"Helen R","full_name":"Helen R","avatar":{"url":"\/assets\/images\/default_new.png"}}'s avatar
Rated Excellent • 5.00/5
Read more product reviews

Still good but have slipped a bit in recent times on...

Current account • 13th October 2026

Still good but have slipped a bit in recent times on call centre

{"display":"M bowes","full_name":"M bowes","avatar":{"url":"\/assets\/images\/default_new.png"}}'s avatar
Rated Good • 4.00/5
Read more product reviews
  • 5.00/5

    Great user friendly app and website.

    Great user friendly app and website. Excellent customer service when I've had an issue or a fraud. Love their range of services including cheque scanning

    {"display":"Lisa R","full_name":"Lisa R","avatar":{"url":"\/assets\/images\/default_new.png"}}'s avatar
    Current account
    Lisa R 13th October 2026
  • 5.00/5

    Best Bank ...in my opinion

    Moved my account to this bank a few years ago and have found them to be a very good online provider. My account is easy... Moved my account to this bank a few years ago and have found them to be a very good online provider. My account is easy to access. All transactions are easy to complete. Staff are helpful if I have needed to contact. Read more Read less

    {"display":"Bev G","full_name":"Bev G","avatar":{"url":"\/assets\/images\/default_new.png"}}'s avatar
    Current account
    Bev G 13th October 2026
  • 5.00/5

    First Direct Currenr Account & Online Banking

    I’ve been with First Direct for many years and never had an issue. Their online banking for the current account is exemplary and their customer... I’ve been with First Direct for many years and never had an issue. Their online banking for the current account is exemplary and their customer service is second to none. Any small issue is solved professionally and quickly and their range of products has everything you would ever need banking wise. Read more Read less

    {"display":"Scott Kennedy","full_name":"Scott Kennedy","avatar":{"url":"\/assets\/uploads\/avatars\/users\/683648.png"}}'s avatar
  • 5.00/5

    Dependable, consistent, responsive

    Had current account with them for over 40 years. Always helpful and quick to respond

    {"display":"Sunshine ","full_name":"Sunshine ","avatar":{"url":"\/assets\/images\/default_new.png"}}'s avatar
  • 5.00/5

    People on the phone

    It's rare to be able to access a human without layers of ai bots these days, FD have people who pick up calls!

    {"display":"Helen R","full_name":"Helen R","avatar":{"url":"\/assets\/images\/default_new.png"}}'s avatar
    Current account
    Helen R 2nd September 2026
  • 5.00/5

    Humans on the phone!

    It's easy to speak to a person, no layers of ai and "press 1 if your call is about..."

    {"display":"Helen R","full_name":"Helen R","avatar":{"url":"\/assets\/images\/default_new.png"}}'s avatar
    Credit card
    Helen R 2nd September 2026
  • 5.00/5

    Great for building savings

    This is a good product for building savings and getting into the habit of putting money aside each month. Just make sure you understand the... This is a good product for building savings and getting into the habit of putting money aside each month. Just make sure you understand the terms and conditions. It won’t make you rich, but it’s a great budgeting tool Read more Read less

    {"display":"Daniela R","full_name":"Daniela R","avatar":{"url":"\/assets\/images\/default_new.png"}}'s avatar
    Regular saver
    Daniela R 20th August 2026
  • 5.00/5

    You can talk to a human on the phone

    A human is available without talking to a bot for 20mins, they are in the UK with good English.

    {"display":"Helen R","full_name":"Helen R","avatar":{"url":"\/assets\/images\/default_new.png"}}'s avatar
    Current account
    Helen R 19th August 2026
  • 5.00/5

    Excellent service, good app, very reliable

    Been with First Direct for over 30 years. We now bank with them online but occasionally still need to talk to them by phone and... Been with First Direct for over 30 years. We now bank with them online but occasionally still need to talk to them by phone and they’re always quick to answer any happy to help. Read more Read less

    {"display":"Sunshine ","full_name":"Sunshine ","avatar":{"url":"\/assets\/images\/default_new.png"}}'s avatar

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