to close the bank account I've had for nearly 40 years to open a new one with First Direct?

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I don't work for First Direct I promise but I don't really understand why anyone uses any other bank! When you ring them someone answers you within seconds. There is no automated menu to go through. It is like a breath of blooming fresh air!

We have a joint account with FD but I've always kept my own separate account with the bank my parents used and which they opened for me at 16. Contacting them is SO MUCH more time consuming and frustrating. This morning I'm asking myself what is stopping me from opening a new account with FD and I really can't think of a good reason! Other than is it a terrible faff?

From what I’ve heard it’s not even a terrible faff!
I’ve been with First Direct for decades and I have never had any problems at all. They could teach a lot of companies about customer satisfaction. Life’s too short to be hindered. I say go for it! (I pay in cheques when I have to at HSBC)

I think more people need to vote with their feet, generally.

Service improvement rarely comes about otherwise.....

Short answer YANBU

Only as faffy as you let it be....it's straightforward to change dd's etc.

I think banks have to transfer all your direct debits etc for you now, so wouldn't really be a faff...

First Direct are amazing.

I love first direct! Really easy to switch with them too.

Love First Direct, they are just amazing! Been banking with them for ages, never let me down! Go for it!

First direct don’t want my business. Both dh and I have excellent credit scores, own our house, no bad debts, and they’ve refused us an account twice. We don’t use anywhere near our debt potential. It’s puzzling.

First Direct is great. Do it.

Loyalty will do you no favours in this area. Move!

I agree with you l.p., but I am biased. Up until his retirement, my husband worked for them. He says they were a great company to work for.

I like be first direct! Always so helpful and our offset mortgage is amazing :)

That's really odd Bunty you must feel frustrated.

I hate first direct. I joined because they employed my sister, she then nearly killed herself because of how they treat their staff.
Your calls are answered right away because staff have timed toilet breaks, are sacked for being three minutes late, are exploited and threatened, and if they have an account with the company it can be accessed without their permission.

It may look good to the customer but they are just HSBC, one of the biggest and most corrupt banks in the world, with a shiny customer friendly face. Don't give them your money.

Do you have to use a card reader to log in to first direct? I have been thinking of moving for ages but the online login for my current bank is convenient which is basically the only thing that keeps me.

I don't really understand why anyone uses any other bank!

I left First Direct when they introduced a charge for accounts which did not have a minimum amount paid into it each month. I’ve been with Smile ever since.

Both me and hubby changed our accounts to first direct when we bought our first house. Transfer process was completely hassle free and they've been really good since. I particularly like being able to speak to a person rather than listening to automated messages for 10 minutes first.

I am very happy with First Direct. If you can find a friend with an account they can do a referral and you both get a bonus.

Only problem I had was their slightly over zealous money laundering regulations..... despite wanting to transfer all money (quite a lot), direct debits etc from another big UK bank, being in the electoral roll, same address for 25+ years, great credit score etc. They wanted our ORIGINAL passports to be sent AND letters from a government department less than 3 months old to prove our identities. We couldn’t take these into an HSBC branch, they had to be posted to First Direct and as it was near the end of the year the only correspondence we had from a government sept. Was DHs tax coding (over 3 months old) and my child benefit notification (also over 3 months old). We both had to contact HMRC and get new letters sent out, the HMRC people did say that First Direct were causing problems doing this and as I used to work in financial services I know that these items were not required under money laundering regulations. I admit they nearly didn’t get our business because of thus unnecessary hoop jumping but since then they have been faultless.

No you don't need a card reader, you can use an app on your phone.

make sure you get a switch incentive.
part of hsbc so crap website - lots of clicking and scrolling. pig slow too.
they send a ton of paper.

I was one of FD's very first customers and I wouldn't even consider changing. The call centre staff are unfailingly friendly, charming and helpful. On the handful of occasions there's been a problem it's been resolved really quickly.

Dont think you need to feel any loyalty to your existing bank tbh - these days customer loyalty seems to mean nothing !! I transferred my main bank account to FD two years ago - they gave me £125 and, like others have said, have been very good. Transfer was done quickly and went smoothly, customer services have been great and I love the online banking - dont use the phone app as am a bit paranoid about someone tracking my phone - have all sorts of protection on my laptop and broadband line so much less risk with that! (yeah, i'm paranoid )

In exactly your position OP - Barclays give me nothing, and their service in getting increasingly bad.

Watching this thread with interest.

I am so waiting for the day when we can dump our bank's sorry ass. I accept banks are all the same. My parents used to just disparagingly refer to banks as money shops.

We're in rented accommodation presently so need our bank of over thirty years 'in our corner' for a credit reference etc.

However, as soon as we have purchased our house of at some unspecified point in the future we will be telling our bank to feck off.

What happened ? They dumped us i.e. declared our account dormant whilst we were overseas without telling us. It was a right old rigmarole to get it reinstated not least making a five hour round trip to the nearest large town. To visit an HSBC office, to have a meeting with an HSBC Manager to ask her to ask HSBC UK to reinstate our account. Which got done but I still think they are bastards.

You do know that you don't have to close the old account? You can have as many current accounts at as many banks as you like.
I have current accounts at lots of banks as they often pay decent interest on up to £3000.
I do have a first direct account I've had for nearly 40 years though and agree their service is good.

I moved last year.All transfers done quickly and efficiently.I have the phone app for management as it is easy.I got the £125 for transfering.
I was going to change again for another incentive but am staying because the service is so good.
It may be part of HSBC who I have my mortgage with but it doesn't feel like it.