First Direct was founded in 1989 by Midland Bank, whose own name is no longer in use following its acquisition by HSBC in 1992. The First Direct brand lived on with its own name and reputation.
First Direct has no high street branches of its own, relying instead on internet and phone services. But as First Direct is owned by HSBC, customers are able to use the HSBC branch network.
It also offers home and travel insurance, underwritten by Aviva.
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| Customer happiness | 82% |
|---|---|
| Customer trust | 71% |
| Complaints performance | 74% |
| Transparency rating | 63% |
| Fairer Finance score Reviewed Spring 2019 |
72% |
| Customer happiness | 72% |
|---|---|
| Customer trust | 74% |
| Complaints performance | 74% |
| Transparency rating | 58% |
| Fairer Finance score Reviewed Spring 2019 |
69% |
| Customer happiness | 49% |
|---|---|
| Customer trust | 44% |
| Complaints performance | 70% |
| Transparency rating | 63% |
| Fairer Finance score Reviewed Spring 2019 |
56% |
| Customer happiness | 67% |
|---|---|
| Customer trust | 62% |
| Complaints performance | 73% |
| Transparency rating | 57% |
| Fairer Finance score Reviewed Spring 2019 |
65% |
| Customer happiness | 73% |
|---|---|
| Customer trust | 71% |
| Complaints performance | 74% |
| Transparency rating | 57% |
| Fairer Finance score Reviewed Spring 2019 |
69% |
| Customer happiness | 67% |
|---|---|
| Customer trust | 68% |
| Complaints performance | 74% |
| Transparency rating | 48% |
| Fairer Finance score Reviewed Spring 2019 |
64% |
| Customer happiness | 66% |
|---|---|
| Customer trust | 63% |
| Complaints performance | 70% |
| Transparency rating | 30% |
| Fairer Finance score Reviewed Spring 2019 |
57% |
| Balance transfer rate during promotional period i | 0% |
|---|---|
| Duration of offer period for 0% balance transfers i | 27 months |
| Representative APR i | 18.90% |
| Risk based? i | |
| Representative balance transfer rate i | 1.46% |
| Purchase rate during promotional period i | 0% |
|---|---|
| Duration of offer period for 0% purchases i | 17 months |
| Representative APR i | 16.90% |
| Risk based? i | |
| Representative purchase rate i | 1.32% |
| Number of days before interest is charged on purchases i | 56 days |
| Representative APR i | 18.90% |
|---|---|
| Foreign purchase fee i | 2.99% |
| Foreign withdrawal fee i | 2.99% |
| Risk based? i | |
| Number of days before interest is charged on non-sterling cash transactions i | 0 days |
| Representative purchase rate i | 1.46% |
| Representative APR i | 16.90% |
|---|---|
| Foreign purchase fee i | 2.99% |
| Foreign withdrawal fee i | 2.99% |
| Risk based? i | |
| Number of days before interest is charged on non-sterling cash transactions i | 0 days |
| Representative purchase rate i | 1.32% |
| Representative APR i | 16.90% |
|---|---|
| Representative cash transaction rate i | 1.81% |
| Representative purchase rate i | 1.32% |
| Risk based? i | |
| Representative balance transfer rate i | 1.32% |
| Representative money transfer rate i |
| Escape of water excess i | £50 |
|---|---|
| Matching sets i | |
| Theft from outbuildings i | £3,000 |
| 24hr helpline i | |
| Alternative accommodation i | 20% of sum insured or up to £80,000 |
| Cover for keys/locks if lost i | £1,000 |
| Money in the home i | £750 |
| New for old i |
| Trace & access i | £5,000 |
|---|---|
| Matching sets i | |
| Cover for keys/locks if lost i | £1,000 |
| Compulsory excess i | £50 |
| Escape of water excess i | £50 |
| Alternative accommodation cover limit i | 20% of sum insured or up to £80,000 |
| Cover for keys/locks if stolen i | £1,000 |
| Property owner liability i | £2,000,000 |
| 24hr helpline i |
| Theft from outbuildings i | £3,000 |
|---|---|
| Matching sets i | |
| Cover for keys/locks if lost i | £1,000 |
| Cycles included whilst in the home i | Part of sum insured |
| New for old i | |
| Alternative accomodation i | £10,000 |
| Money in the home i | £750 |
| Cover for keys/locks if stolen i | £1,000 |
| 24hr helpline i |
| Medical excess i | £50 |
|---|---|
| Cancelling before travel i | £5,000 |
| Personal possessions & baggage - damaged, lost or stolen i | £1,500 |
| Max trip duration i | 31 days |
| Emergency medical cover and repatriation i | £10,000,000 |
| Cutting trip short/curtailment i | £5,000 |
| Abandoning your trip i | £5,000 |
| Lost or stolen cash i | £300 |
| Combined passport & travel i | £750 |
| Natural disaster relocation cover i | |
| Natural disaster baggage cover i | |
| Mental health cover i |
| Medical excess i | £50 |
|---|---|
| Cancelling before travel i | £5,000 |
| Personal possessions & baggage - damaged, lost or stolen i | £0 |
| Max trip duration i | 31 days |
| Emergency medical cover and repatriation i | £10,000,000 |
| Cutting trip short/curtailment i | £5,000 |
| Abandoning your trip i | £5,000 |
| Lost or stolen cash i | £300 |
| Combined passport & travel i | £750 |
| Natural disaster relocation cover i | |
| Natural disaster baggage cover i | |
| Mental health cover i |
| Medical excess i | £50 |
|---|---|
| Cancelling before travel i | £5,000 |
| Personal possessions and baggage - damaged, lost or stolen i | £1,500 |
| Emergency medical cover and repatriation i | £10,000,000 |
| Cutting trip short/curtailment i | £5,000 |
| Missed departure i | £1,000 |
| Abandoning your trip i | £5,000 |
| Lost or stolen cash i | £300 |
| Combined passport & travel i | £750 |
| Medical excess i | £50 |
|---|---|
| Cancelling before travel i | £5,000 |
| Personal possessions and baggage - damaged, lost or stolen i | £0 |
| Emergency medical cover and repatriation i | £10,000,000 |
| Cutting trip short/curtailment i | £5,000 |
| Missed departure i | £1,000 |
| Abandoning your trip i | £5,000 |
| Lost or stolen cash i | £300 |
| Combined passport & travel i | £750 |
| Ski equipment owned i | £500 |
|---|---|
| Single item limit for owned equipment i | £500 |
| Hiring replacement winter sports equipment i | £200 |
| Ski equipment owned excess i | £50 |
| Ski equipment hired i | £400 |
| Single item limit for hired equipment i | £400 |
| Avalanche closure i | £200 |
| Piste closure i | £300 |
| Unused ski pass due to illness or injury i | £300 |