First Direct 1st Account (with firstdirectory)

Telephone banking is available 24 hours a day 365 days a year. All calls are charged at a local rate The range of services available include the following:-
- Balance enquiry
- Enquire about recent transactions
- Set up, amend and cancel Standing Orders
- Cancel Direct Debits
- Bill payments
- Request a postal statement
- Request a cheque book
- Request a paying-in book
- Request a replacement card
- Request a new PINcollapse

When a first direct account is opened they will send out a Welcome Pack which will contain all of the information the customer will need to transfer their existing account to first direct.

first direct can handle all of the transfer of the regular payments. After they have permission they will contact the old bank and arrange to transfer direct debits and standing orders. During the transfer of the regular payments, First Direct will have a dedicated 'easyswitch' team on hand to help.collapse

There is an overdraft arrangement fee of £25. This fee is payable each time a request for an overdraft or an overdraft extension is made. Overdrafts are available for 12 months, if after this period an overdraft is still required another overdraft request must be made which may incur another arrangement fee. If this is the first overdraft request for 6 months no overdraft arrangement fee will be charged.collapse

There is a fee of £12.00 per month for first directory. There is also normally a monthly servicing fee of £10, if the customer does not meet certain criteria, however for all first directory customers this fee is waived.collapse

Customers are able to request an overdraft formally (in advance) or informally (not in advance). A formal request is where a customer arranges an overdraft for a period up to 12 months. An informal request is when a customer goes over their arranged overdraft limit or into overdraft if no limit has been agreed. first direct will charge an overdraft arrangement fee of £25 for formal and informal overdrafts, although the fee will be waived in the following cases:

if first direct has not agreed an overdraft request in the previous six months

if funds are paid in to meet an informal overdraft by the end of the same day

if fees or debiting interest has caused the account to go overdrawn or further overdrawn

if this is the customer's first ever overdraft with First Direct

No more than one arrangement fee will be charged per day.collapse

Roadside Breakdown cover is available.
Free monthly sweep to savings account available.
Comprehensive worldwide family travel insurance.
Identity theft assistance is included with this account.
Mobile phone insurance, cover for loss and theft.
Commission free travel money.
Discounts on accommodation across UK and Europe.
'2 nights for the price of 1' accommodation across the country.
Savings at over 200 popular restaurants.
'2 for 1' or 'Free Child Admission' to visitor attractions such as stately homes, museums, exhibitions, wildlife centres and theme parks.
'2 for 1' savings on golf, motor sports, water sports and more.
£100 cashback when the customer takes out a first direct offset mortgage.collapse