First Direct
First Direct debit card goes fee-free for overseas spending meaning near-perfect exchange rates
First Direct has scrapped all fees for overseas spending and cash withdrawals on its debit card for both new and existing customers, MoneySavingExpert.com can reveal.
30 June 2023
First Direct now accepting new current account applications after brief suspension
The bank initially made the move to maintain its customer service standards and let staff catch up and have a break over the Christmas period - but is now processing applications as normal.
17 December 2022
First Direct doubles interest on regular saver to 7% – here's how to get the new rate
First Direct is doubling the interest rate on its regular savings account from 3.5% to 7% on Thursday 1 December. It's the highest rate we've seen on this type of account since 2012. But there are a few catches – here's what you need to know.
29 November 2022
Thinking about fixing your mortgage for 10 years or longer? Here are the pros and cons
Fixing for a decade can be done for as little as 3.33% right now and is becoming more appealing as the Bank of England base rate continues to rise. But there are pros and cons to doing so - here's what to watch out for.
8 July 2022
Thousands of First Direct customers have bogus 'Nando's' payments taken from their account – here's what to do if you’re affected
Thousands of First Direct customers have had mysterious Nando’s payments taken from their accounts. Fraudsters have been taking authorised payments of around £60 from people.
22 February 2022
HSBC, First Direct, M&S or John Lewis bank customer? They're making MORE payments to those in arrears in the past – some worth £1,000s
HSBC, First Direct, M&S Bank and John Lewis Finance are making a second set of payments to customers who were in arrears between 2010 and May 2019
18 May 2021
M&S Bank customer? You can now bag £100+ switch bonuses from HSBC & First Direct no matter how long you’ve held your account
All M&S Bank customers can now switch to HSBC and First Direct regardless of how long they've been with M&S. M&S, which is closing all of its current accounts this summer, had previously said customers wouldn't be able to switch to its sister banks if they'd joined the group since 1 January 2018. But it's now U-turned on this decision.
26 March 2021
HSBC and First Direct cut regular savings rates to 1%
HSBC and First Direct have cut the interest paid on their regular savings accounts from 2.75% to 1% for new customers
24 November 2020
Bank with M&S, HSBC or First Direct? Urgently open its regular saver
M&S Bank is closing its 2.75% AER regular saver account to new customers next week
13 November 2020
App-based banks lead our customer service poll – see how your bank did
Challenger bank Monzo has taken the crown in our latest banking customer service poll – knocking First Direct off the top spot for only the second time ever
3 March 2020
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26 September 2023
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E.on Next to cut winter bills by up to 50% for some customers on low incomes – here's what's happening
2 October 2023![]()
E.on Next is launching a new support scheme for some of its existing customers on low incomes or with medical needs. -
EDF Energy to cut bills for some by £30 this winter – Martin Lewis welcomes move but says 'it's not a game-changer'
29 September 2023![]()
EDF Energy will cut bills by £30 for some 260,000 of its customers who get the Government's Warm Home Discount this winter. -
Martin and MSE among organisations calling for energy social tariff as millions expected to struggle with bills this winter
29 September 2023![]()
The Government must urgently introduce an energy social tariff to prevent millions of households from falling into fuel poverty this winter, consumer organisations including MoneySavingExpert have said. -
Train strike refund rights as Northern, Southeastern, Thameslink and more set for week of disruption
28 September 2023![]()
Rail users in England, Scotland and Wales face disruption over the coming week as workers across multiple train operators, including Northern, Southeastern, Thameslink and more, take strike action and refuse to work overtime. -
Mortgage rates fall as Bank of England unexpectedly holds UK rates – so should you fix?
26 September 2023![]()
Interest rates on fixed mortgage deals have been edging down over the past few weeks with some five and 10-year fixes now at below 5%.
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Martin Lewis: Is it time to ban unnecessary Christmas presents?
11 September 2023![]()
Update September 2017: It’s eight years since I first braved this subject, expecting a snowstorm of protest. Instead, year after year more join in, like Julia who recently tweeted me, “@MartinSLewis, finally took your advice and told my family I can’t afford Christmas presents. What a weight off my mind. Thank you.” One year even the Archbishop of... -
Martin Lewis: Five things all new English university starters should know
4 September 2023![]()
The 2023 academic year is about to start, and it'll see the biggest shake-up to student finance in England for a decade. The changes are both subtle and massive. On the surface they look like a tweak, in practice they will increase the eventual cost of going to university by over 50% for many typical graduates.
Clever ways to calculate your finances
