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Switching to us

At a glance

We promise it won't be hard work

Honestly. Truthfully. Cross our hearts and hope to die. We know switching banks sounds like it'll be a nightmare, but we promise it's not. Switch to our Current Account and we'll give you �100** (if you've not tried us before) and a £250 interest-free overdraft as standard.

Overdraft representative example:
0% EAR variable on the first £250. 15.9% EAR variable on anything above £250 (assumed arranged overdraft £1,200).

Plus we'll make the whole thing as smooth as possible as part of the Current Account Switch Guarantee. And, if you don't like us, you can leave with £100*** as a farewell gift. Like when someone leaves work and there's a collection - but without the card.

**£100 to say hello

To get the £100 cash offer you need to open a 1st Account, switch your everyday banking to us using the Current Account Switch Service and pay in at least £1,000 within three months of opening the account.

This offer is limited to one payment per customer or joint account, and you'll get the money within 28 days of all criteria being met. Sorry, we can only offer this to people who haven't previously held an account with us, and we reserve the right to refuse your application and extend or withdraw this offer at any time. Credit is subject to status.

***£100 to say goodbye

We're not just sure you'll love our service more than anyone else's - we're banking on it. If you don't like the way we do things after six months, we'll not only help you move banks - we'll give you £100 as a leaving present.

To qualify, you must have paid at least £1,000 a month into your account for six months and not have banked with us before, as well as switched to us initially using the Current Account Switch Service. You need to contact us to let us know you're unhappy within 12 months of opening your account, and you'll get the money within 28 days of the criteria being met. If you do decide to leave, all other products you hold with first direct will also need to be closed.

Switching without using CASS

If your account provider isn't part of the Current Account Switch Service (CASS), you can still switch to or from us at no cost by giving us the details of the account you want to switch.

To switch an account to us from a non-CASS provider just contact us and we'll send you a Transfer Form so we can understand the Standing Orders and Direct Debits you want to switch. As soon as we get this back we'll contact your old account provider and get your switch up and running. We'll also arrange for your old provider to transfer any credit balance to us and close your old account if you want to. The whole process can be as quick as 12 working days depending on the transfer date you choose and how long it takes your old provider to respond. Don't forget to give your new account details to anyone who sends you credits eg your employer, and let them know when to start sending payments to it.

To switch an account from us to a non-CASS provider just contact us. We'd be sad to see you go but we understand these things happen so we'll send a list of your Direct Debits and Standing Orders to your new account provider as quick as we can, normally within 5 working days. We'll then work with them to transfer and close your account if you want to.

If your new bank or building society agrees, bank accounts that include an overdraft can switch using the Current Account Switch Service. And if you'd like to have an overdraft with your new bank account, speak to your new bank or building society before starting your switch. Your new bank or building society will be able to advise if you're eligible for an overdraft, dependent on their lending criteria and your credit status.

If you're unhappy with any part of your switch, please visit our guide to making a complaint.

Things work a little differently in Northern Ireland...

If you live in Northern Ireland and you use our switching service, we can offer you an interest and charge free arranged overdraft for three months from the date that you open your account with us, subject to our usual credit assessment criteria.

If there's a failure in the switching process we'll refund any charges or interest you've paid to us, and your old bank should refund any charges or interest you've paid to them.

7 day switching
Fully guaranteed
FAQs

Ready to switch?

New to first direct?

Firstly, open a first direct Current Account.

Sole Account Joint Account

If you've previously been a customer you'll need to give us a ring so please contact us.

Need some help?

If you need any support throughout your application we're here, please contact us.

Who can apply?

Pretty much anyone. If you're over 18, haven't been declared bankrupt or registered for an Individual Voluntary Agreement in the last six years (or be in the process of doing so), and have a phone number and email address we can contact you with, we'd love to welcome you.

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