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Compare First direct Financial Products

Compare a range of financial products and services available from First direct. Read our section reviews, find a product that's right for you and apply online.

First Direct Overview

First direct is an award winning commercial bank based in the UK with its headquarters located in Leeds. Customers can access their accounts online and over the telephone but First Direct does not have any branches which allows it to pass on savings from lower overheads to its customers.

First Direct is a division of HSBC Bank plc. with over 1.2 million customers and 3,500 employees across 3,000 FTE roles.
First direct is based at two call centres in Leeds and Hamilton. Hamilton is the larger of the two call centres however the Leeds call centre handles risk assessment and some processing roles.

First direct was first formed in October 1989 by Midland Bank, then became a part of HSBC in 1992.

First direct took its first call in October 1989. By May 1991 the bank had 100,000 customers which gre to 250,000 by March 1993. It first broke even in December 1994. In April 1995 the bank gained its 500,000th customer and has made a profit every year since.

First Direct savings accounts
are very competitive, offering high interest rates on balances with a number of accounts to choose from to suit a all.
First Direct Credit Cards offer customers a great account that comes packed with features and benefits to suit all credit card users.

With 0% introductory periods, and low long-term rates on balance transfers (excluding HSBC, HFC and M&S Money), First Direct credit cards will help you to manage your finances without having to pay the earth in interest and charges.

First Direct Credit Cards are perfect for everyday use and with first direct's signature levels of service as standard, you can carry your card with confidence. With no annual fee, convenient online and telephone services allowing you to manage your account, and even regular text message mini-statements sent direct to your mobile phone, consider a First Direct credit card.
First direct offer a range of savings account via the internet, telephone or free Text Message Banking, helping you to manage your money any time of the day or night.

With impressive interest rates and attractive bonuses for switching accounts, First direct savings accounts can help you to achieve your saving goals.

First Direct guarantee that should you need to contact them, you will be put through to a person rather than a recorded message via one of their contact centres, allowing you to solve any issues with ease.

First direct is covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) established under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, so all deposits up to £50,000 per person (£100,000 per joint account) are protected, so you can be confident that your savings are safe.
First Direct Savings Accounts provide a great place for you to make your savings grow, with some great offers and benefits available, you will find a savings account to suit your needs.

With First Direct savings accounts, you'll a great rate on your balance and some accounts offer free withdrawals for the more flexible saver. Alternatively, if you would like to be rewarded for limiting your withdrawals, First Direct have an account that's ideal for you.

Opening a First Direct saving account is easy, and you can start with a deposit of just £1, with no maximum limits. Interest is calculated daily and paid monthly, so every deposit counts.

All First Direct Savings Accounts are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), providing you with up to £50,000 protection between all First Direct accounts. As First Direct is a division of HSBC, the limit covered by the FSCS is spread across all accounts held between the two banks. This means that if you have £30,000 with HSBC, and a further £30,000 with First Direct, you would only be covered for £50,000 of your £60,000.
First Direct ISA's offer a range of fantastic features and benefits, helping you to get the best from your tax free allowance.

Whether you're looking to transfer a lump sum to a First Direct ISA to earn more from the great rates offered, or you want to kick-start your savings through making regular deposits throughout the tax year, First Direct have an individual savings account solution to suit your saving needs.

If you require access to your ISA, First Direct have an account that allows to enjoy instant access to your money via its online and telephone and postal services, giving you the freedom to manage your account and stay on top of your savings plan.

The standard features found in all First Direct ISA's are as follows:
  • save up to £3,600 tax-free per tax year (running from 6 April to 5 April)
  • start saving from as little as £1
  • transfer your existing ISA balances held with other providers, from previous or current tax years.
  • online statements
  • no maximum limits on the amount transferred to a First Direct cash ISA from another cash ISA held with another provider

First Direct News

New first direct mortgage 'flexible and easy to use'
A new mortgage unveiled today (December 2nd) by first direct has been described as easy to use and flexible. ...
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Wed 2nd Dec, 2009
First Direct resumes accepting mortgage applications from non-customers
First direct has resumed selling mortgages to non customers. The online and telephone bank temporarily stopped offering mortgages to new customers on April 1st after receiving five ...
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Tue 20th May, 2008
First Direct introduce fee's for their Current Account
In what may mark the beginning of the end for free banking as we know it, online bank, first direct, is writing to all its customers over the next month to tell them about changes to ...
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Wed 15th Nov, 2006
first direct launches new cheap mortgage
first direct has launched a new mortgage, boasting the lowest variable rate on offer from any bank or building society. ...
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Tue 6th Sep, 2005