First Direct?

Did well when I've queried things (dodgy DD taken by someone, very poor rate on a visa purchase)

No problems they've generated yet.

Jim.

I've banked with FD for 5 years and I'd recommend them to anyone. Their call centres are staffed by knowledgeable, friendly, efficient, UK-based staff and their internet service is very good. I'm very impressed and have bit by bit moved all of my banking across to FD. Highly recommended.

Good bank - though your 'credit history' is not portable in the way you think it is!

I understand that the credit history isn't fully portable but the impression I had (and please do correct me if I'm totally off here) was that, as HSBC are global and have Canadian branches, that at least part of the relationship could be carried.

FD have stated, by email, that they would 'refer' me in Canada although I admit I'm not fully sure what that actually means...

Garry

"Garry Knipe" wrote

Been with them for twelve years (offset mortgage nearly two years), and I can only say: Excellent!

Pretty positive in my experience, there are times where I've cursed them mostly related to their credit card fraud system. There doesn't seem to be an easy way to turn it off to let some transactions through. (I used an alternative card in the end) However in comparison to the wifes Egg card I've had less trouble than she has with fraud depts.

Garry,

Have no fear at all.

I've been with them for many years and never had the slightest problem with them.

Staff are extremely friendly but professional and they don't employ Tracys or Waynes.

This was the first internet bank in the UK AFAIAA, and they could have taken a while to put together a slick operation. However they hit the ground running from day one, and IMO have stayed way ahead of any competitors.

Rgds

__ Richard Buttrey Grappenhall, Cheshire, UK __________________________

Yes, HSBC have a presence in Canada

Probably in the same as when I went to America for a year...

My UK HSBC branch referred me to a special deptartment in their London HQ who sent me all their American application forms etc and arranged for a bank and credit account to be opened with their USA HQ - on the basis that I was an existing HSBC customer and "already known" to them - it made opening the account much easier!

First Direct are generally reported to be very good - thats certainly my experience of them.

Regards Sunil

FD have been superb for me. I actually worked for ICL when we built the Internet Banking system for them a few years back. Our team was actually based in the Leeds call centre and the staff were great. They always had a good atmosphere in the place - unlike most call centres I imagine.

Best bank in the UK, if not the world!

Bitstring , from the wonderful person Hallak Cuf said

They are pretty slick unless/until you want something that requires you to access their parent company (foreign cash, traveller's cheques etc.). At that point you get to play 'pardon' with HSBC's call centre staff in .. yep, you got it ..

Not sure why you need to get involved with HSBCs call centre. Are you saying that FD use the HSBC centre service?

I've used FD for foreign cash and TC over several years, and always been amazed at how efficient they are. Order before 3.30 one day and almost without exception I've received it by post two days later. I've never been aware it's actually HSBC I'm dealing with. I somehow doubt it is since invariably the charming person who first takes your call at FD appears just to transfer it across their internal switchboard to their currency department, as they describe it.

Rgds

__ Richard Buttrey Grappenhall, Cheshire, UK __________________________

Bitstring , from the wonderful person Richard Buttrey said

No, I'm saying if you need to get involved with physical banks, then it's HSBC that you get involved with, and their call centre....

For some reason something my wife wanted (foreign currency bank draft, or something similar) required using HSBC in person, and also required talking to HSBCs 'help desk' to figure out how to do it, exactly. No fun.

Personally, I wouldn't touch them with a barge pole. Sure, they may give good service, but would you want to be funding those TV adverts? Surely they must be the most annoying we've seen for a while - only the '3' jellyfish and singing cherry adverts, that Dyson advert where the voiceover says "not a sausage" at the end and all car adverts come close.