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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 1,826 product reviews

Average score of 4.70/5
5 star
84%
4 star
9%
3 star
2%
2 star
1%
1 star
4%
Reviews for first direct have trended negatively 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 1826 company reviews • Last reviewed within 7 days

Easy to open accounts online and app is great

Fixed Rate Savings • 25th March 2026

Easy to open accounts online / App is great / communication is great. Been with FD for 30 years and see no reason to move. Range of products is perfect for me

{"display":"Anita Ridgley","full_name":"Anita Ridgley","avatar":{"url":"\/assets\/uploads\/avatars\/users\/699585.png"}}'s avatar
Rated Excellent • 5/5
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Great online banking.

Current Account • 25th March 2026

Great online banking. Very easy to set up.

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

    Our kid wrote

    Excellent service! They go the extra mile to help!

    {"display":"A H","full_name":"A H","avatar":{"url":"\/assets\/images\/default_new.png"}}'s avatar
    Current Account
    A H 25th March 2026
  • 5/5

    A good return on your savings

    Excellent fixed interest rates offered for 12 month regular savings account

    {"display":"Stu","full_name":"Stu","avatar":{"url":"\/assets\/images\/default_new.png"}}'s avatar
    Fixed Rate Savings
    Stu 25th March 2026
  • 5/5

    excellent service

    They are quick to respond to any query and are excellent in directing someone who is not tech savvy. They are very patient , giving... They are quick to respond to any query and are excellent in directing someone who is not tech savvy. They are very patient , giving clear understandable directions and always check that I have understood and that they have fully resolved my issues. Read more Read less

    {"display":"jaffa60","full_name":"jaffa60","avatar":{"url":"\/assets\/images\/default_new.png"}}'s avatar
    Current Account
    jaffa60 25th March 2026
  • 5/5

    Easy to switch and signing up bonus

    Easy to switch and good signing up bonus

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

    Banking with First Direct for over thirty years

    We’ve been banking with First Direct for over thirty five years and found their customer service to be second to none. Always able to respond... We’ve been banking with First Direct for over thirty five years and found their customer service to be second to none. Always able to respond quickly and positively to any request and issue that we have raised. Staff are always polite and extremely knowledgable. Read more Read less

    {"display":"Les Roper","full_name":"Les Roper","avatar":{"url":"\/assets\/uploads\/avatars\/users\/794086.png"}}'s avatar
  • 5/5

    Just the best

    Every think you want from this bank is top mark, what more could you want....

    {"display":"tracy ","full_name":"tracy ","avatar":{"url":"\/assets\/images\/default_new.png"}}'s avatar
    Current Account
    tracy 25th March 2026
  • 5/5

    The Bonus account is easy to set up.

    The Bonus account is easy to set up and gives a good interest rate which allows you to invest any amount of money a month... The Bonus account is easy to set up and gives a good interest rate which allows you to invest any amount of money a month and you can withdraw at anytime but you will lose your interest rate for that month. Read more Read less

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

    Easy to set up.

    Easy to set up. Clear term & condition. Easy transaction in between accounts.

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

    Great service

    I also feel I can approach first direct easily if my banking needs change. Colleagues are knowledgeable and willing to help and assist with any enquiry I have.

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

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