+£240
34 mins
First Direct
£200 Free Cash•34 mins
£200 Free Cash
+£240What is First Direct?
First Direct is the UK's original branchless bank, launched in 1989 and now part of HSBC. With 1.9 million customers and consistently top rankings for customer service, they offer 24/7 UK-based phone support and an award-winning mobile app.
Launched
1989
Customers
1.9m+
Google Play
2.8 (19k)
★★★★★★
Key Terms
Profit
+£240
Credit checkHard check
Direct debits2
Pay-in
£1,000
Multiple transfers allowed (e.g. 4 x £250)
Card transactions5
Free cash£200
Free cash arrives49 days
Eligibility: New customers only. No previous First Direct products, and no HSBC current account opened since 1st January 2018
Step by Step Guide
Chris's overview
Optional·2 min read
This is a solid bank switch with straightforward criteria. Within 45 days of opening, you need to: complete the switch with 2 Direct Debits, pay in £1,000, make 5 debit card transactions, and log on to digital banking. Most of this can be done in the first week.
The extra win here is the £40 from Quidco, bringing your total to £240. First Direct is also genuinely one of the best banks for customer service – their 24/7 UK-based phone support is excellent, and the 1st Account has no monthly fees.
One thing to note: if you've opened an HSBC current account since January 2018, you won't be eligible. First Direct and HSBC share the same parent company, so they treat this as existing customer territory.
Pre-switch checklist
Optional·1 min check
Before starting a switch, check the existing current account you're switching from:
Plus:
1
Apply for First Direct 1st Account
You are here15 mins
- Use the button below to go to Quidco for an extra £40 cashback
- Search for 'First Direct' and click through to start your application
- Select the 1st Account (free, no monthly fee)
- Complete the application — you’ll set up the switch separately once your account is open
2
Download the App & Start Your Switch
5 mins
- Download the First Direct app from the App Store or Google Play
- Log into your new First Direct account
- Select the account you want to transfer into, then tap ‘Switch to us’ from your account menu
- Enter your existing bank’s sort code, account number, and preferred switching date
- The switch will move your Direct Debits and standing orders automatically
Complete within 45 days of account opening
3
Pay in £1,0009d
5 mins
Switch completes in 7 working days (9 calendar days).
- Deposit at least £1,000 into your new First Direct account
- Your salary counts towards this if it's £1,000 or more
- You can also do a manual bank transfer
Complete within 45 days of account opening
4
Make 5 transactions9d
5 mins
Switch completes in 7 working days (9 calendar days).
- Make 5 or more payments using your First Direct debit card
- Contactless, online, or chip & PIN all count
- Any amount works - even a £1 coffee counts
Complete within 45 days of account opening
5
Receive £200 cash+35d
2 mins
By the 20th of the following month (Edit the expected by date accordingly)
- Check your First Direct account for the £200 credit
- Keep First Direct as your main account, or switch it to your next bank switch offer
6
Receive £40 cashback90d
2 mins
£40 cashback paid within 90 days of applying
- Your Quidco bonus will become payable – withdraw this to your bank
Offer Complete
Done? Tick off each step above to see your total.
Quick First Direct Review
Completed the offer? Awesome! Here's our full review on why First Direct could work well for you going forward.
First Direct at a glance
Updated:
Customer service nerds, this one's for you. Quidsy has two live offers with First Direct: £175 free cash for switching your current account, plus a 7.00% AER Regular Saver paying on £25 to £300 monthly deposits. The catch is you need the 1st Account open before the Regular Saver unlocks.
Customers
1.9m
UK accounts
Founded
1989
37 years old
App Store
4.8 ★
455k reviews
Google Play
2.8 ★
18.5k reviews
If customer service matters to you, First Direct is genuinely the best bank in the UK right now. They topped the January 2026 UKCSI Best Customer Service ranking across all 13 sectors the index covers, not just banking, and 97% of customers in Finder's awards said they would recommend the bank.
Phone support is 24/7 and you actually speak to a real person in Leeds, which sounds like a small thing until you have spent half an hour stuck on someone else's phone tree.
The 1st Account itself is one of the most useful current accounts in the market. No monthly fee, fee-free spending abroad, a £250 interest-free overdraft buffer, and access to a 7% Regular Saver once you are a customer. That Regular Saver alone is reason to switch and stay.
The only real downside is no branches, which matters for some people and not others. If you need to deposit cash regularly or want a face-to-face relationship with your bank, this is not the one. For everyone else, especially if you are already comfortable doing your banking on a phone, it is a strong recommendation, better than the high-street alternatives in almost every measurable way.
First Direct is a division of HSBC UK Bank plc, authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority (FRN 765112). Eligible deposits are protected by the FSCS up to £120,000.