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first direct: Current Account reviews

Name: Current Account
Rating: 4.7 (1356 reviews)

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4.70

Based on 1,356 reviews, last reviewed 9th Jul 2025

88% decrease in 5 star reviews

in the past 90 days

100% decrease in 1 star reviews

in the past 90 days

85%

Latest highest rating:

5

I have banked with first direct for over 20 years. I have banked with first direct for over 20 years. I have always found them to be curtius and helpful even when they say no. Reviewed on: 9th July 2025

Latest lowest rating:

1

Rejected for being unemployed Applied for current account for the £175 switching bonus - application rejected because I am unemployed - disgusting! Reviewed on: 23rd April 2025

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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 (1356)

first class

Rated high for customer service and when using you can see why. UK call centres, you get through quickly and staff know what they are talking about. No problems at all Reviewed on: 31st August 2015

Easy to use banking, online and on the phone.

I've been with First Direct since they began and find them the easiest bank to deal with online and particularly on the phone. In the last couple of years they've added an extra level of security to their online service with a code generating system when you log in to carry out transactions (thankfully you can still check your balance without using this) which gives greater peace of mind with online banking. Any difficulties and there is always a pleasant, friendly voice at the end of the phone to resolve things for you. Overall great customer service. Reviewed on: 31st August 2015

Telephone banking you can do online!

I have been with First Direct almost since they started in1989 and I have never been tempted to move away. Before the internet, it was useful having a bank I could phone in the middle of the night to discuss my account and still use its mother company HSBC if I wanted to get some money. It's still easy now to make contact, which I usually do online, but good to know I can get in touch, on the phone, with any queries. Over the years, I've had savings, my mortgage and an ISA with them- they don't always pay the top rates but I feel safe with this bank and, to me, that's worth a lot. Reviewed on: 29th August 2015

Best bank I've dealt with

Switched to first direct at the beginning of 2015 due to a £125 switch incentive. The Switch was simple, and despite being a little put off initially by the fact that they are online/phone only, found their customer service to be top notch whenever I've had to call them. Any branch services (e.g paying in cheques) can be done in a branch of HSBC, which can be a little problematic in Scotland as they are few and far between. I bank online a lot and I must say that the security to log on to online banking seems very thorough (if a little over-complicated), but I am not a massive fan of the phone app, it seems a little fussy and messy in comparison to Bank of Scotland which i used previously. Overall though I would recommend them to anybody. Reviewed on: 29th August 2015

brilliant

held account for several years. No problems and very easy to deal with if you do ever have to phone Reviewed on: 27th August 2015

The No1 Bank that gives great service

If you want an account from a bank that looks after its customers,First Direct is a good choice.First Direct is always at or near the top in terms of customer experience especially on MSE. Of the few times i have needed to contact the bank via its call centres i have always been satisfied without being passed around various departments that i was used to with other banks. Reviewed on: 26th August 2015

Good current account with great customer service

I switched to First Direct after hearing about their £125 joining incentive. I was accepted for the account and the switch went through smoothly. At various points during the switch I needed to phone First Direct's customer service line and I found their call center staff to be really helpful and friendly. The joining incentive was paid quickly and I also signed up for a 6% regular saver which is linked to the current account - this is the best I have seen on the market. Overall a very positive experience! Reviewed on: 25th August 2015

Great product, great service

I switched to First Direct purely for their offer of £125 for switching current accounts. I had seen this advertised in a few places, and thought it seemed worth the trouble of switching accounts. The process to switch was very straightforward, and they moved all my direct debits etc across no problems. When they sent me all the documents for the account, I had a couple of questions, so I thought I would call them to get my answers. The phone was answered very quickly by a real person in the UK, who was able to answer my questions straight away. I was really impressed I didn't have to sit on hold for ages. A few weeks later I got my £125 for switching. One benefit for me is that the account gives you access to a 6% regular saver account, so that you can put money away each month and get a better than average return on the savings. I haven't used the overdraft at all, so I couldn't comment on the cost of this and whether it is good or not. The other feature I have used is the online messaging service when I have had questions, and they have always replied within 48 hours with a comprehensive answer to my question. The customer service really makes them stand out for me, and I would recommend them. Reviewed on: 25th August 2015

Superb Service

Switched from HSBC to FD and even got the bonus. Service has been exceptional throughout and up to the reviews found on the net. Very friendly phone contact every time and although I needed to set up a number of different passwords, even changing them when I forgot was possible while still secure. My questions where answered every time and additional documents sent straight away. Can only recommend FD so far. Reviewed on: 18th August 2015

I wouldn't leave them for anything

I have been with First Direct since shortly after they started, as an offshoot of the then Midland Bank. Initially it was a matter of telephone banking, but it wasn't long before I could manage my accounts online, and since then I have never looked back. Their customer service and call centre are second to none; their Regular Savings Account (open only to current account holders) offers a superb 6% interest; and although I use Santander's 123 account as a savings account for better interest on lump sums, no offer could tempt me to leave First Direct as my primary bank. Reviewed on: 12th August 2015

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