MoneySavingExpert News

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