First Direct

Nice people on the phone, transfered my current account very smoothly (from an awful bank that has been in the news a lot recently!)

Posted by Anonymous at 11:35 on 12-Mar-2009

Absolutely ace, a world apart from other banks. I've been with them almost from the beginning and they are about as good as it gets: always a speedy phone-pick up with a real person, polite, helpful and efficient.

Posted by Anonymous at 21:59 on 22-Jan-2009

I've been a First Direct customer since they started. They have the best person-to-person service desk I've ever used (they sound like they want to help you, instead of you being another problem to get rid of as soon as possible), and their online banking is pretty brilliant. It all works, it is always there, and if (very occasionally) they do make a mistake, they put it right PDQ without question. On the down side, I have noticed them getting a bit more "bank-like" recently, with a lot more small print to wade through.

Posted by Anonymous at 14:27 on 07-Jan-2009

Thank God we have one bank that really takes care of its customers. First Direct do not offer the best rates, which is a shame, but their attention to having trained informed call centre staff puts all the other bank and building societies that I have to use to shame. Keep on working at your Customer Service! Excellent.Other little perks such as an SMS when your account overdraws are also very useful.

Posted by Anonymous at 20:06 on 04-Nov-2008

Nothing like it was when it was launched and has since been overtaken by many online and P2P financial brands. My personal experience of moving to them lasted about a month. Beneath the slick call handling, to me they are an ordinary bank. And their online banking isnt as good as Lloyds TSB

Posted by Anonymous at 15:31 on 05-Jun-2008

No matter what time of day or night I call First Direct their staff are unbelievably cheerful, friendly and helpful. You always get straight through to a person and never have to go through the automated response menu. On a number of occasions their staff have gone over and above what could be expected - once I phoned to tell them that I had lost my debit card and needed a replacement and the customer advisor actually helped me to find it in my coat pocket! The only slight gripe I have is that recently (only once) they tried to sell me a mortgage when I was on the phone - it wouldn't have been so annoying if I actually was planning to buy a house!

Posted by Anonymous at 20:05 on 04-Jun-2008

They are fantastic. If only other European business learnt about customer service from them!

Posted by Anonymous at 15:47 on 04-Jun-2008

I've been a first direct customer for 10 years now, and I have never had anything but good service. The thing they do better than anyone else .....answer the phone! there's no IVR, no sitting on hold, the Customer service representatives are well trained, friendly and take full ownership of customer issues. If only other organisations adopted this model.

Posted by Anonymous at 10:12 on 31-May-2008

Banked with First Direct for about 10 years now and would unhesitatingly recommend them for interent banking

Posted by Anonymous at 10:13 on 28-May-2008

Have been with First Direct since 1991 and nothing has persuaded me to move in that time. I am treated as a valued customer. I'm prepared to overlook the fact that I could possibly get a slightly better rate of interest elsewhere when offset against the treatment I get: on more than one occasion I've gone overdrawn and been penalised, but this has been waived with good grace when I've rung them to discuss the reasons. On a few occasions the phone staff have chipped in with suggestions - not necessarily sales pitches - which have been priceless and they've also chased up other parties when I've had issues with retailers. Can't really fault them.

Posted by Anonymous at 23:23 on 26-May-2008