Do you have a First Direct account?

[NickNacks]

What sort of credit check do they do?

Thanks!

I have an account with them. Don't know what sort of credit check they do - why are you asking? They are a brilliant bank IMO but are you aware they charge if you don't pay in a certain amount each month? Think it is abiut 1500 quid. Also don't think they are very open to extending overdrafts etc.

Apologies if these points aren't relevant to you, but am struggling a bit to understand why credit checks are relevant to your choice unless you havae some sort of financial issue in which case great though they are, not sure this is the bank for xyou.

Apologies for typos...

I lurve First Direct, they sent me very fancy chocolates for Christmas. [smug]

Why didn't I get chocs?

Oh gosh, can't remember. Been with them more than 20 years.

Why do you ask op?

...and should say 1500 is the amount you have to pay in each month to not get charged, not the amount of the charge!

Bastard First Direct, I used to think they were great until I read about the chocolates. Where are mine?

I'm looking for a new joint account for us and the reason I asked was because we have a large ish overdraft on out existing JA (not looking to move that though, will just pay it off). In the last fee years we've had quite a lot of defaults (late payments, that sort of thing? Nothing big no ccj or arrears but wondered if this was enough to be refused?

Oh I see. I'm not an expert but I would have thought that was enough to be refused by any bank?

Have also heard that there is some sort of minimum pay-in with First Direct - but as it is our main joint account the question has never come up for us.

Income each month won't be an issue, I'm aware of that criteria.

Multiple late payments etc are definitely enough to be refused a bank account there. I'd suggest trying to repay your overdraft facility, then once that is cleared look at your credit file and if there hasn't been any defaults or late payments for 12+ months it may be worth applying.

Thank you I will do that. Income/outgoings isn't the problem, we are just disorganised and that's more annoying that it's stopping us from moving forward. Argh!

You have to pay in 1500 a month, OR have another product of theirs. Like their savings account with a few quid in it.

Chicago were sent to customers picked at random though I believe it is cause I is special

Chicago?? Darn phone, I meant chocolates

Why didn't they send me chocolates? I've been a customer there since I was 18 which is...well, quite a few years. I feel like phoning them and demanding my chocolates! You can't just favour a few 'random' customers, that's not fair at all!

No chocolates here. Been with them about a year

I've banked with them for over 20 years and I didn't get any chocolates either!

(Mind you I couldn't have eaten them, because of the carbs, but they aren't to know that ... )

I've been with them for 17 years! Where are my chocolates!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nicknacks why not set everything up to be direct debits, that way you don't miss anything?

The £1500 must be fairly new, I am not charged and pay in about £1200 but I have had the account since 1995 ish. Also hold savings and credit card. They will not let me take out their mortgage as the min is £30000 which seems a bit daft. Ours is just under

No chocs here either, re they posh chocs ?

What I love most about fd is that you get a real person on the phone no queues or long menus

If you have another product, ie credit card or savings account, they don't charge you if you have under £1500 a month going in.

They started charging a few years ago, Vicki - but if you pay in 1500 monthly and have more than one account or product, then it's free.