Independent BankAdvisor review
First Direct Overview
First Direct is HSBC UK's telephone and digital banking brand. Its 1st Account has no monthly account fee, combines app and online banking with 24/7 telephone support, and may suit customers who want a branch-light bank with human support available by phone.
Editorial Review
Last reviewed: 30 June 2026
Key Features
| FSCS Protection | Yes - eligible deposits are protected up to the current FSCS limit per person, per authorised firm. |
| Monthly Fee | 1st Account: £0 monthly account fee. |
| Branch Network | No First Direct-branded branches; selected HSBC and Post Office services may be available for some transactions. |
| Mobile App Rating | Strong app ratings on Apple App Store and Google Play; check store listings before applying. |
| Savings | First Direct savings accounts are for existing 1st Account customers only; Regular Saver, fixed-rate, ISA and instant-access options are available. |
| Spending Abroad | First Direct states there is no First Direct debit card fee for using the card abroad, though ATM or merchant charges can still apply. |
| Support | Telephone support is a central feature, alongside app and online banking. |
| Apple Pay / Google Pay | Supported for eligible cards and devices. |
First Direct at a Glance
- First Direct offers a no-monthly-fee 1st Account, savings products including a Regular Saver, overdrafts subject to eligibility, app banking, online banking and telephone banking. It does not operate its own high street branch network, but customers can use selected HSBC and Post Office services for some everyday banking tasks.
First Direct Services
First Direct provides current accounts, savings, personal loans, mortgages through HSBC, overdrafts, cards, mobile banking, online banking and telephone support. Its main distinction is service-led remote banking rather than a large First Direct-branded branch estate.
May suit
- OK1st Account has no monthly account fee
- OK24/7 telephone banking support is a major part of the service
- OKEligible deposits are FSCS protected through HSBC UK Bank plc
- OKRegular Saver can offer a strong headline fixed rate for monthly saving
- OKNo First Direct fee for debit card spending abroad on the current account
- OKApp, online and telephone banking are all available
May not suit
- !No First Direct-branded branch network
- !Some customers may still prefer a bank with full local branch services
- !Regular Saver has monthly deposit limits and access rules
- !Product range is narrower than some large high street bank brands
- !Overdrafts and credit are subject to eligibility and can be expensive
- !People who want app-first budgeting tools above branch access
Our Assessment of First Direct
First Direct is worth comparing for customers who want a simple current account, strong telephone support and the backing of HSBC UK. It may be less suitable for people who want a local First Direct branch or the broadest in-person service network.
Continue Reading
Continue with the Complete First Direct Review
You've read the summary. Our Complete Review examines the account in much greater detail, helping you understand how it performs in everyday banking before you decide.
- Detailed feature analysis
- Fees and charges explained
- Everyday banking experience
- Account strengths and limitations
- Protection and eligibility
- Comparison with similar UK banks
How We Compare Digital Banks
Compared with branch-heavy high street banks, First Direct is more focused on app, online and telephone banking. It can work well for customers who value remote support and a simple account, while people who regularly need branch counters may prefer a more branch-led provider.
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