Switching to First Direct

[DontLetTheSun]

I'm thinking of switching my current account to First Direct. My sister is with FD and she generally happy with it but says she doesn't find it particularly easy to login.

I just wondered how straightforward the login process is? It's ok with my current bank but I find HSBC much harder to log into for example.

Hassle free banking to me means easy login so I'd be glad to know other peoples thoughts are. Thanks 🙏

I use facial recognition on my phone to log in to First Direct, it’s instant. Takes longer on a laptop but I very seldom use that.

I switched to FD in the 90s and have been with them ever since. No issues with logging in on a PC or mobile device. Mobile device is my go to as it is most convenient. One thumbprint and I'm in.

I’m no longer a fan of First Direct. I’ve banked with them for 20 years +. They used to be really forward thinking on technology with great customer service and they are now like all the other high street banks (or worse) without a physical branch.

I find it particularly annoying that if I get a new mobile phone there’s a whole process to register it with them so I can get onto my online banking. There was a time it was really hard to set up a new payee but that’s improved.

I’m looking to move away from them and over to another bank as it really doesn’t feel like they are investing in their user experience.

My partner and I find it easy but my mil can find it difficult if she hasn't done it for a while.

I’ve been with them years. I think the App is great.

I’m abroad and for years I found it difficult then recently they’ve made it really easy via face recognition.

I only log in every month or two but I haven’t had a problem in the last year or so.

I’ve found them to be a great bank - been with them for about 30 years.

The app is great. It's more of a faff on a pc.

I have been with FD for 25 years…always been very happy but recently needed a short term overdraft for a short period. I was refused as I didn’t meet their lending criteria. Incredible as I’m very asset rich and also maintain extremely high balances. The adviser was even shocked but refused to disclose the reason as it is commercially confidential but did say it wasn’t a credit rating issue which I did check.

So basically they are no different to an6 other bank now so I would look at one more technically advanced as their app isn’t great

I have donee lots of bank switches to receive the free money bonus

All banks are very similar to login & use

No issues

Love their app. Haven't changed phones so can't comment on how hard that may be.

Switching phones is really easy - you can use a QR code and have the app on up to 3 devices, no issues here, I don't use the website as the App is easy

Been with them since they opened. No issues and easy to speak to a real person on the phone still, unlike other online institutions

I switched from hsbc to first direct. Logging in is the same. Via a security code that I've created.

Agree. Using the App is very straightforward. And if you do have any problems you can call them and a real person picks up.

Much better than Nationwide whose app needed a card reader until recently and where it is almost impossible to speak to a person.

They are fine, if comparing to high street banks. They are way behind Monzo, Starling etc in terms of app experience and functionality. Depends on what you are looking for