First Direct - I will be the first to direct you away.

Advantages: See text.
Disadvantages: See text.

...I would just like to write a review on First Direct, an internet banking organisation that I opened an account with some years ago (although this account is now actually in fact closed for reasons which I shall tell you about a little later on in my review). First Direct as already noted is an internet banking firm, which is wholly owned by the high street bank known only as HSBC. They offer all of the different services that a normal high street bank offers, and you can take care of your account online (although you can still use your local or any branch in fact of HSBC in order to conduct your affairs). By way of different services, I mean of course all of the different accounts that you can (current; savings, etc); the various ISA's etc that all of the banks have; insurances; loans and mortgages, to name but pretty much all...

dynamicnurse 18.12.2009 · Read review
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Review of First Direct

First Direct - Banking Heaven

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 · Read review
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Review of First Direct

First Direct Offset Mortgage

Advantages: First Direct - great offset mortgage
Disadvantages: Too easy to access the equity in your home!

.... However, as in my case, First Direct do sometimes operate flexibility in this area. The offset Base Rate tracker Mortgage is not available to customers remortgaging from an existing first direct mortgage. If you are looking to take out a mortgage or remortgage I would highly recommend that you take a look at First Direct's products. I really like the flexibility and the portability that First Direct offer with their offset mortgage and, most importantly, there are no blessed hefty redemption penalties with the offset mortgage!! This review may be found on Dooyoo under the name of Kappari....

Krazikas 28.05.2009 · Read review
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Review of First Direct Mortgages

Excellent service - can't fault First Direct!

Advantages: Easy to set up, easy to repay by DD
Disadvantages: None for me

...I have been a customer of First Direct bank ever since they started and I honestly cannot fault them. Incidentally they came top in the survey done by Watchdog so I'm obviously not the only one who thinks so! When we decided to buy our cottage last year we thought that we would be able to sell our house quite easily. Sadly this wasn't the case and because of the credit crunch we still own both properties although we have got tenants in the house now which does help a bit with the finances. When we came to pay the deposit on the cottage we had to raise the 15% deposit that we needed without having the income from the sale of the house that we had been expecting. To top up the money that we had already saved we needed a loan of £14,000 and we began doing some research to find the best deal. We were quoted various ridiculous...

SusanLesley 17.12.2008 · Read review
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Review of First Direct Loans

Nationwide vs EGG vs First Direct

Advantages: ease and flexibility of use, 24hr access
Disadvantages: various - read individual opinions on each bank, can expect delay in applying

...Intro:~ This is an opinion on comparison of three internet banking companies - and is not restricted to First Direct only. At present there is no sub-category for comparing Internet banking so it is placed here) -if you wish to read specifically about First Direct-please refer to my other opinion - "First Direct - the Ultimate First Class service" which can be found under: Finance & Services > Banking & Personal Finance > Customer/General Service > Internet Banks > First Direct . So you’ve all heard of the latest benefits and disadvantages of internet banking, so whats it “really" like… Here’s the low down …… Having applied online and used all 3 of these recently, here is my verdict 1st prize goes to FIRST DIRECT...

Connoisseur_Haggler 13.10.2000 (18.01.2001) · Read review
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Review of First Direct

First Direct

Advantages: ease of access to information
Disadvantages: sometimes (but not that often) you have to wait for the phone to be answered

...I have banked with First Direct for years now, and they have always been as good as they possily could be. When I went through a messy seperation from my ex partner, having an overdrawn joint account was only a minor problem to them and they were more than helpful in making sure that my banking arrangements were satisfactory for me. From those days of having just one current account, I have now progressed to having a sole account, a joint account, a savings account, an ISA,a second curent account, and my partner has changed to First Direct now for his current account and an ISA as well. Having access to a banking representative 24 hours a day is very helpful as I can?t get into town to visit the bank very often, and as I get paid by cheque, it is really easy to pay it into my account by post. It is just simplicity to ring up and get...

DeborahB 10.10.2000 · Read review
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Review of First Direct

First class Direct banking

Advantages: Simple and secure
Disadvantages: none

...I'm not going to go into the contract agreement or any of the small print here, you can get all the details from First Direct themselves. This opinion is to inform you all of my experience with this bank, the pro's and con's. You can then make your own mind up as to whether you want to open an account with them or not. I wanted a bank account that was a little different from the rest. First Direct's interest rates were very competitive when I opened my current account with them about 4 years ago. Since then I have been very impressed with their services, security and personal customer care - What customer care I hear you ask, this isn't a real bank - When you have a problem they will sort it out in person either over the phone or via messages through their internet service. I log into my account via their internet service with my...

Timski 03.08.2001 · Read review
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Review of First Direct

It's good to come first

Advantages: speak to a real person
Disadvantages: charges on overdraft

...located in our building. When I was made redundant and found myself enjoying a summer on garden leave that convenience was gone and suddenly I had to travel all the way into the centre of town, pay to park my car and queue with the great unwashed of Northampton, I even risked meeting some of the unsavory Ciao members that live in Northampton, you know who they are. I also discovered just how awful the telephone banking service is for my old bank with its multiple button pressing which ultimately sees you being routed to India to find out the balance of your account. With First Direct I get none of this inconvenience. I can still use a branch if I want to but now I can choose from any one of the HSBC branches (first direct are part of the HSBC group) importantly I get access to the best telephone service I have ever come across. The operators...

atticusuk 13.10.2005 · Read review
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Review of First Direct

The First Nearly Perfect Bank??

Advantages: 24/7 Helpful Customer Service, text message banking, online banking
Disadvantages: Charge high fees for unauthorised items, no branches

...I decided to transfer my current account about 18 months ago as I had decided enough was enough with the service I was receiving from Barclays. My biggest problem had to be 1 of two things I thought, firstly which bank? Secondly, would it go smoothly? After looking up all of the usual High Street banks including the likes of Halifax, Lloyds TSB etc etc, I still had not made up my mind. That is when someone suggested to be have I ever heard of First Direct. I had seen some of their adverts on TV but to be honest never paid much attention. As I had got no where with the other banks, it had to be worth a look at least. Knowing that they were an online bank they obviously had a website so I set about finding it. Easy enough (www.firstdirect.com). I sat and looked through all of the information on their site which gave me...

Andy0304 07.10.2004 · Read review
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Review of First Direct

  The Ultimate FIRST CLASS service

Advantages: Excellent first class service, fast response, high security, can bank via PC, internet, mobile phone & telephone 24 hours a day
Disadvantages: none really (interest rates for internet could be higher..though they aren’t bad)

...I have been banking with First Direct, a division of HSBC Bank since 1995. With 7 years experience with this bank I would like to put forward my opinion of their internet banking and service. First direct was one of the first telephone banking services introduced in the UK in the late 1980’s; offering 24/7 access to your bank account; something quite unheard of at that time! So, when First Direct made the revolutionary move and launched their new internet/PC banking on 18 July 2000 I immediately signed up without any hesitation. I knew they would be able to provide an efficient service with a high level of customer service, yet at the same time they would be at the forefront of technology and security. In recent years as more and more households get online in the UK, internet banking has certainly become more accessible...

Connoisseur_Haggler 24.02.2002 (27.02.2002) · Read review
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Review of First Direct