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first direct: Current Account reviews

4.73
Based on 1,489 reviews, last reviewed 8th May 2026
20% increase in 5 star reviews
in the past 90 days
100% increase in 1 star reviews
in the past 90 days
See only 5 star reviews
85%
See only 4 star reviews
9%
See only 3 star reviews
2%
See only 2 star reviews
1%
See only 1 star reviews
3%

Latest highest rating:

5

I’ve had a really positive experience with First Dir... I’ve had a really positive experience with First Direct’s 1st Account. The account is simple to manage, with an easy-to-use app, reliable online banki... Read more Reviewed on: 5th May 2026
Phil A's avatar
Phil A

Latest lowest rating:

1

1 star is far too generous. 1 star is far too generous. First Direct sent an email asking me to provide another review even though i have been waiting for a working PIN since Fe... Read more Reviewed on: 8th May 2026
Linda's avatar
Linda

About this product

The first direct 1st Account is a current account that can be opened in minutes.

If you’re eligible, you can get an interest free overdraft of £250. You won’t be charged debit card fees when spending abroad. If approved for an account, you’ll get a virtual card you can use straight away.

first direct 1st Account reviews help you find out what it’s really like to be a customer. If you’ve used first direct before, you can also leave a review and share your experience.

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first direct Current Account reviews (1489)

Great bank in every way.

5
Been with first direct for over 20 years, never once i had a cause to complian .Always there for you even on Christmas day! Very efficient and clear policies Reviewed on: 18th December 2018

Easy banking

5
Easy banking, great online access and friendly staff at the end of the line when you need them. Reviewed on: 17th December 2018

Great

4
Great all round but bit over the top on security Reviewed on: 17th December 2018

Good all round

4
Good service and bonus but security a bit over the top Reviewed on: 17th December 2018

Totally awesome

5
Fantastic bank, great service 1st class +++++ Reviewed on: 17th December 2018

Fantastic customer service, easy to use app. Highly recommend.

5
Amazing customer service, answer on the first ring without all the nonsense automated questions etc. Staff are really helpful & friendly. The app is easy to use too! Would highly recommend First Direct to anyone. Reviewed on: 17th December 2018

Best Bank EVER

5
Fantastic service, friendly call staff, fast and responsive mobile app, support for Google and Apple Pay is an absolute god send! Reviewed on: 17th December 2018

Over time you'll tire of them

1
Looking at some reviews here from what I assume to be new customers perhaps they might feel less positive after a few years experiencing the attitude of this bank. Their adverts should display this bank as a dictatorial dinosaur. Banking here is based on what they consider is best for them not the customer, although their telephone staff do actually seem to accomplish what you call them about unless it is to complain. Products are less than ordinary; rates are generally awful but the most frustrating thing is their online system. Not only do you have this silly, tiny, turn itself off half the time before you manage to press the right button security device which you need to use to generate a code to do pretty ordinary things like just send a message to them, or even just apply for a new product - but I find the most annoying thing is when you have successfully set up a payee; tested it however you want to prove it works, they will go and delete it after a period of non-use without asking or telling you beforehand so you have to set it all up again with that awful security device as well as inputting all the bank details. They even delete payment links to other first direct accounts you hold the same way. Your email box will also get cleared down more quickly than you might expect, but they do not offer a download facility for you to click a button to save on your own storage any you want to keep. There have been instances where they have changed their products beyond all recognition of what you signed up for in the first place. Initially their cash ISA started off with tiered interest bands for different amounts saved which were at decent rates compared to others available, now they have no bands with a pitiful rate for any amount saved. Whilst being with them we have sent forms to them with more than the one form in the envelope; to ensure they were aware that the envelope contained multiple forms this was clearly boldly written on both sides of the envelope as well as inside the opening flap. They processed only the ONE form and were completely unable to locate the others sent, apologies were meagre; they hardly acknowledged their incompetence. They have a regular savings account that can only be funded from your 1st account but when you make out the online application you are given the drop down of all your accounts to select to fund it from, if you choose any other than the 1st account they did not flag this up as an error but let the processing go through to need to be subsequently amended, their systems could be designed to stop little things like this but it makes you question the degree of testing or understanding put in to their development. Bring any of these frustrating deficiencies to their attention and they don't want to know or do anything to improve matters for the benefit of their customers. They do not listen. Other banks and societies who actually consider customer needs are there; I recommend to use them rather than this lot. How they can consider the value their current account as worth £120 a year then dispense with your set-up payment details without even consulting or actively warning you is disgraceful. I've tried to bring up matters directly with them to improve things but they really do not want to know so maybe publicly showing people what they might be having to put up with could get this head in the sand attitude to change? Reviewed on: 15th December 2018

Everything you would want from your bank

5
Always helpful and informative on all their products and customer interactions Reviewed on: 14th December 2018

Listening, human banking

5
Excellent customer service at every encounter with First Direct. We experienced a cashflow-crisis and FD immediately extended our low-rate overdraft by £1500 for 6 months. During that period, our entire balance was cleared out by scammers (masquerading as Dominos Pizza...!) and FD solved the problem and reinstated our funds fully within 60 minutes of our initial phone call (at 6:30pm). First Direct = First Class. Reviewed on: 14th December 2018

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