Advantages: Excellent customer service Disadvantages: Low interest rate
I know that I have written a reviews recently about First Direct (a division of HSBC Bank plc) and their products and facilities and 'no', I do not work for them and am not on any commission! However, I would be delighted to work for them as I think they are absolutely first class.....
After 30 years of banking with the Halifax I moved to First Direct for my banking. The reason I moved was because I took out a mortgage with First Direct and one of the conditions for getting a mortgage was that I had to open a bank account with them.
I can quite honestly say that First Direct are like a breath of 'fresh air' in the world of banking. This is one of the best moves I have ever made and I am delighted with the outstanding customer service and the excellent products that First Direct offer.
One of the most pleasing things about ...
Krazikas 14.06.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of First Direct
Advantages: efficient, reliable, good value Disadvantages: none
The directbanking arm of The Royal Bank of Scotland is superb. I have been using the telephone banking for over two years and have not experienced a single fault. Each instruction is executed at the time I have specified, and small touches like a freephone balance check and mini statement are appreciated. The sharedealing facility is good value also.
I have recently started banking by pc, and the number of security features in place are reassuring. The user interface is clear and efficient, and coupled with an online savings account offering 5% interest, I look forward to using directbanking to manage my account more effectively. ...
Advantages: Multiple ways to manage your accounts, free Disadvantages: low interest on balances
I have been with First Direct for some 5 years. During that time they have progressed from a telephone only organisation, through online banking to mobile phone banking. I have experience of the first two and am about to try the third.
The advantages are:
a) free banking
b) £250 free overdraft (you pay only interest while overdrawn
c) both PC and true internet banking are provided. So you can manage your finances from any PC (with the internet banking option)
d) telephone banking remains an option for dealing with the more difficult transactions (eg electronic transfer of funds for house purchase). The backup of telephone banking is also a great boon if your partner is not so online minded (as mine isn't) or for those times when the online system fails/crashes etc which would leave you totally cut off from your funds ...
Small, unknown BS with hardly any attractive accounts.
A real mutual BS, run for the benifit of it's members. It does try to improve accounts, whilst accepting a high risk mortgage holder when others would (*)
