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first direct reviews

First Direct Logo
Rated Excellent • 4.72/5

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 1,872 product reviews

Average score of 4.72/5
5 star
85%
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.
  • The app and online banking with First Direct are easy to use and make managing money simple.
  • First Direct’s Regular Saver account offers excellent interest rates and is easy to set up and manage.

Negative themes

  • Some find First Direct’s app and online banking limited or tricky compared to newer banks.
  • A few customers have had frustrating issues with transfers or switching accounts.
  • There are complaints about poor handling of fraud or security concerns 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 1872 company reviews • Last reviewed within 7 days

App, UK based telephone banking and service are bril...

Current Account • 28th April 2026

App, UK based telephone banking and service are brilliant. Savings rates may not be best in class so for large balances you might want to... App, UK based telephone banking and service are brilliant. Savings rates may not be best in class so for large balances you might want to look elsewhere but for day to day banking and bonus account it is great. Read more Read less

{"display":"Anthony Johnson","full_name":"Anthony Johnson","avatar":{"url":"\/assets\/uploads\/avatars\/users\/420081.png"}}'s avatar
Rated Excellent • 5/5
Read more product reviews

Good service.

Current Account • 27th April 2026

Good service. Bank switch was rather smooth and paid bonus on time

{"display":"Anon","full_name":"Anon","avatar":{"url":"\/assets\/images\/default_new.png"}}'s avatar
Rated Good • 4/5
Read more product reviews
  • 5/5

    Hide your excess current account balance

    Instant access with a decent interest rate if you want to put the excess money in your current account into a safer place long or short term.

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

    Switched to current account a few years ago and temp...

    Switched to current account a few years ago and tempted to stay rather than switch. MSE recommended it and it has never disappointed. One of... Switched to current account a few years ago and tempted to stay rather than switch. MSE recommended it and it has never disappointed. One of the best things is the linked regular saver account which always sits atop lists of best regular saver accounts. And when you want a human being on the end of a phone, they always provide one. Instead of insisting that you rely on their latest bot Read more Read less

    {"display":"Shaun G","full_name":"Shaun G","avatar":{"url":"\/assets\/images\/default_new.png"}}'s avatar
    Current Account
    Shaun G 21st April 2026
  • 5/5

    No decent savings options

    The only drawback with our current account is that they dont have any decent savings accounts/ products alongside it. I dont want the hassle of... The only drawback with our current account is that they dont have any decent savings accounts/ products alongside it. I dont want the hassle of using several different platforms. I wish FD offered something high interest on site Read more Read less

    {"display":"anne w","full_name":"anne w","avatar":{"url":"\/assets\/images\/default_new.png"}}'s avatar
    Current Account
    anne w 18th April 2026
  • 5/5

    I've been with them since the 90s.

    I've been with them since the 90s. Easy to contact, reasonable saving schemes, pleasant customer service, good 500 pound free overdraft facility. Etc.

    {"display":"nick99","full_name":"nick99","avatar":{"url":"\/assets\/images\/default_new.png"}}'s avatar
    Current Account
    nick99 18th April 2026
  • 5/5

    No nonsense basic account, which has been around for...

    No nonsense basic account, which has been around for ages and still has a friendly call centre in Leeds where you can confirm just how... No nonsense basic account, which has been around for ages and still has a friendly call centre in Leeds where you can confirm just how daft you are and can't figure stuff out and will be treated with a smile and a 'don't worry Sir or madam this happens alot' reply. Read more Read less

    {"display":"Neil Gent","full_name":"Neil Gent","avatar":{"url":"\/assets\/images\/default_new.png"}}'s avatar
  • 4/5

    Online Banking boosted productivity

    Online Banking helped me to not only send bank transfer payments immediately and easily but also allow me to check my statements to cross reference... Online Banking helped me to not only send bank transfer payments immediately and easily but also allow me to check my statements to cross reference for disputes at any time all of which was needed sooner Read more Read less

    {"display":"MRSH","full_name":"MRSH","avatar":{"url":"\/assets\/images\/default_new.png"}}'s avatar
    Current Account
    MRSH 17th April 2026
  • 5/5

    Very smooth experience so far.

    Very smooth experience so far. No problems, and the one query I had was dealt with efficiently.

    {"display":"MadAd","full_name":"MadAd","avatar":{"url":"\/assets\/images\/default_new.png"}}'s avatar
    Current Account
    MadAd 17th April 2026
  • 5/5

    Always helpful on the phone.

    Always helpful on the phone. Resolves issues quickly. No issues.

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

    First Direct - first for customer service

    Excellent app; helpful human communication for enquiries and questions; gives a sense of integrity and honesty; offers a range of account options and proactively recommended... Excellent app; helpful human communication for enquiries and questions; gives a sense of integrity and honesty; offers a range of account options and proactively recommended moving excess cash out of a current account. Read more Read less

    {"display":"Jba","full_name":"Jba","avatar":{"url":"\/assets\/images\/default_new.png"}}'s avatar
    Current Account
    Jba 17th April 2026

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