Is first direct a legitimate company?
Yes, first direct is a legitimate company with a strong reputation, boasting numerous positive reviews and an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from thousands of customers.

first direct is a UK-based bank that offers a range of online and personal banking services to over 1.7 million customers. The company provides current accounts, loans, credit cards, savings accounts, and mortgages, focusing on straightforward banking solutions. With an emphasis on transparency and customer service, first direct aims to simplify the banking experience by offering features like secure digital banking, budgeting tools, and a user-friendly mobile app. Targeting individuals seeking efficient and reliable banking options, first direct allows customers to open accounts quickly and access their finances with ease. The bank promotes a customer-centric approach, providing support through live chat and simple help topics. By eliminating monthly fees and offering incentives for new customers, first direct positions itself as a viable choice for those looking for transparent and accessible financial services.
First Direct generally receives high praise for its excellent customer service and ease of use, with many reviewers highlighting the helpfulness and efficiency of the staff. Customers appreciate the quick resolution of issues, seamless transactions, and the overall confidence they feel in the bank's operations.
Long-term users express satisfaction with the service, often mentioning their loyalty since the bank's inception. However, some reviews point out frustrations with the complexity of setting up certain features, like standing orders, and dissatisfaction with the First Direct Perks program, which some find lacking. Additionally, there are complaints about customer service experiences that felt unhelpful or confusing. Despite these criticisms, the majority of feedback remains positive, reflecting a strong overall sentiment towards First Direct.
Summary generated with AI from recent reviews
Each source counts by its number of reviews. Only reviews written by people are scored.
| Source | Rating | Reviews | Weight | 6-mo | Fake risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Trustpilot Imported Trustpilot reviews | 4.4 | 60 | 100% | — | ● Medium |
Monthly average rating from reviews written by people.
Not enough history for a trend yet: 60 reviews in 1 month. The chart appears once reviews span two months.
Share of positive (4–5★) and negative (1–2★) reviews mentioning each topic · based on the 60 most recent reviews.
“Very good service”
“I’m already a customer — a loyal one, at that”
Same method for every company: overall rating, legitimacy checks, the average rating of reviews mentioning each area and the 6-month trend · Finance & Insurance.
| Company | Overall | Legit | Service | Website & app | Trend | Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.4 out of 5 (good) | 100 out of 100 | 4.6 out of 5 (good) | 4.1 out of 5 (good) | — | 60 | |
| 4.2 out of 5 (good) | 100 out of 100 | 3.3 out of 5 (fair) | 3.0 out of 5 (fair) | — | 1,200 | |
| 4.7 out of 5 (good) | 100 out of 100 | 4.7 out of 5 (good) | 4.6 out of 5 (good) | — | 1,060 | |
| 4.8 out of 5 (good) | 100 out of 100 | 4.9 out of 5 (good) | 4.7 out of 5 (good) | — | 1,060 | |
| 4.8 out of 5 (good) | 100 out of 100 | 4.7 out of 5 (good) | 4.0 out of 5 (good) | — | 1,060 |
Bottom line: first direct is #4 of 5 on overall rating in this group. On website & app, JustCover Travel Insurance scores higher (4.7 vs 4.1).
60 reviews of first direct. Filter by what matters to you.
Over a year ago
I have always found First Direct very easy and safe to use. When I have encountered issues, which fortunately is not often, I have found staff courteous and helpful. I have been with First Direct for... See more
Over a year ago
As always since the very first time we dealt with First Direct (back when they first launched) excellent service.
Over a year ago
A problem I had with my savings account was quickly sorted out when I phoned FD. Always find my payments are quick and easy to set up and use.
Quick answers to the questions people ask most.
Yes, first direct is a legitimate company with a strong reputation, boasting numerous positive reviews and an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from thousands of customers.
No, first direct is not a scam. The company has verified reviews highlighting excellent customer service and quick resolutions to issues, indicating a trustworthy banking experience.
first direct offers a range of financial services, including personal banking, savings accounts, mortgages, and credit cards, all designed for ease of use as noted in many positive customer reviews.
first direct accepts various payment methods, including direct debits, standing orders, and online payments, making transactions quick and easy according to customer feedback.
You can contact first direct's customer support via phone or their online chat service. Customers have reported that they receive prompt and helpful assistance from staff.
Anyone can write a CrowdTrust review. People who write reviews have ownership to edit or delete them at any time, and they'll be displayed as long as an account is active.
I have always found First Direct very easy and safe to use. When I have encountered issues, which fortunately is not often, I have found staff courteous and helpful. I have been with First Direct for over 20 years, and I would not change.
As always since the very first time we dealt with First Direct (back when they first launched) excellent service.
A problem I had with my savings account was quickly sorted out when I phoned FD. Always find my payments are quick and easy to set up and use.
After trying all week to pay off my mortgage with the mtge Co, I rang First Direct. It took less than a minute to make the payment. I always find the staff very helpful when I phone. They know their stuff!
Excellent service, seamless operation.
I have been with First Direct for so many years and wouldn't change. I've always had exemplary service. I have only given 4 stars and the reason is the layout of the online Accounts page. You changed this a year or two ago and I have found it harder to navigate than before due to they layout and the colours used. The pink headers for each date are just too pale and I have to hunt up and down to locate the day I want. It would be great if you could deepen the pink headers and use a different colour for todays page. Just a small thing but it annoys me every time I use the computer to check my accounts. My eyes are not as good as some peoples so a little help like this would be great. Thank you.
Setting up a standing order is time consuming, tedious and complicated
I've been with First Direct since 1982, drawn by their revolutionary telephone banking. I've always had confidence in what they're doing and never had any reason to need help. Very happy customer.
I have been a customer for many years and I am very happy with FD. Recommend them all the time.
simple easy to operate and confidence of security
Attempting to comply with FD's crypto limits, I moved £2.5k then, the next day, another £2.5 and, the day after that, another £2.5k. I sort of expected their Fraud department's interrogation the first time and answered all their questions. At that time, I then pre-warned them I'd be sending 3 more identical payments (up to the maximum £10k in a 30 days rolling period) in coming days and I hoped not to have to undergo the same interrogation each time. Nevertheless, I did! Very annoying and disappointing.
I’m honestly baffled by First Direct’s wisdom in launching First Direct Perks. The name is promising, but the delivery… less so. It’s run through a third-party company called Marketing Lounge Partnership, which already feels a bit detached. I’ve banked with First Direct for decades and, until now, they’ve been brilliant. So when I got an email out of the blue announcing this shiny new perks programme, I thought, “Well, this should be interesting.” The message promised “amazing perks” and directed me to a website to register. That’s when the confusion began. Why, I wondered, does my bank need me to register for perks? I’m already a customer — a loyal one, at that. Still, curiosity won. I clicked the link and was immediately asked for chunks of personal information. Alarm bells rang — it looked every inch like a phishing scam. I rang First Direct, expecting reassurance, but even their own team didn’t seem to know this programme existed. After a merry round of transfers, someone finally confirmed it was genuine. Reassured, I registered and waited for the magic to happen. Weeks later, another email arrived, urging me to “check my perks.” I clicked in with the excitement of a child at Christmas. The reality? Nine perks. Seven were bog-standard discount codes, and two were competitions. Out of sheer stubbornness, I tried the Cineworld offer: two tickets for £10, Monday to Thursday, 2D only. After jumping through more hoops than a circus poodle, I discovered the code didn’t even work. On closer inspection, two tickets were actually £11 anyway, so all this drama was to save a grand total of £1 — assuming the code had worked in the first place. So let me get this straight: First Direct is sending out fanfares and glossy emails about perks that are little more than a pound-off coupon you could beat with a quick Google search? Either the marketing team never bothered to test this, or someone high up trusted them a little too much. This isn’t perks — it’s an insult dressed as a perk. Save the money, fix it properly, or scrap it altogether. For the record, I ended up booking my Cineworld tickets using a different discount code I found elsewhere. First Direct is still an excellent bank. But when it comes to perks, they’ve scored an own goal.
Employees are experiencing hallucinations, hearing whispers when I talk to them on the helpline, and asking if anyone is around me. I explain that I'm alone, and the employee continues to say that she hears whispers. I suggest you put down those medications...
Outstanding service from the two agents that I spoke to - I only wish I had got their names to thank them properly. The issue was resolved quickly and efficiently. Am a long-standing client for this very reason.
They refused point blank to pay the advertised £175 switching bonus because I was switching from a business account, even though they agree that this limitation ws not mentioned in their advertising. ... and your offer of a call is worthless - as you well know. You're posturing in public wih no intention to do anything in private. I've been told you will not discuss this with me further, and that I should go to the ombudsman - who we both know is worthless. You people make me tired and sad - not for my lost £175 but for the fact that people like you earn a good living treating decent people this way.
It has all gone very well,I was a bit nervous switching but everything was done for me and the fed sight seems very easy to use.
I left my previous bank due to poor service: taking 20mins to get through and no “out of hours” customer service for example. Since joining FD I have been amazed at the change in customer care. The transfer was seamless ( and unexpectedly they are giving me an “hello” gift of £175). I have to say that at the Cooperative Bank, when I did get through the staff were great, so it was a systemic issue and lack of investment in staff numbers that was the issue. I’m a happy bunny now!
They recommend that you use the automated chat to open an account, so spent 5-10 minutes going through the procedure. Was then told that a human would continue the chat. Human eventually replied to say that sorry, but that particular account was “off sale” at the moment and to please try again in a couple of days! I telephoned instead a couple of days later, spoke to a very friendly and helpful member of staffs who proceeded to open the account without any problems or issues. Please stick with human staff members instead of trying to force your customers to have to interact with untested chat functions, else you will lose far more custom than the small amount of savings you’ll make by ‘automating’.
first direct is a UK-based bank that offers a range of online and personal banking services to over 1.7 million customers. The company provides current accounts, loans, credit cards, savings accounts, and mortgages, focusing on straightforward banking solutions. With an emphasis on transparency and customer service, first direct aims to simplify the banking experience by offering features like secure digital banking, budgeting tools, and a user-friendly mobile app. Targeting individuals seeking efficient and reliable banking options, first direct allows customers to open accounts quickly and access their finances with ease. The bank promotes a customer-centric approach, providing support through live chat and simple help topics. By eliminating monthly fees and offering incentives for new customers, first direct positions itself as a viable choice for those looking for transparent and accessible financial services.
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