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.
| Customer happiness | 82% |
|---|---|
| Customer trust | 71% |
| Complaints performance | 79% |
| Transparency rating | 62% |
| Fairer Finance score Reviewed Spring 2018 |
74% |
| Customer happiness | 72% |
|---|---|
| Customer trust | 72% |
| Complaints performance | 79% |
| Transparency rating | 69% |
| Fairer Finance score Reviewed Spring 2018 |
73% |
| Customer happiness | 52% |
|---|---|
| Customer trust | 41% |
| Complaints performance | 68% |
| Transparency rating | 65% |
| Fairer Finance score Reviewed Spring 2018 |
57% |
| Customer happiness | 68% |
|---|---|
| Customer trust | 60% |
| Complaints performance | 77% |
| Transparency rating | 52% |
| Fairer Finance score Reviewed Spring 2018 |
64% |
| Customer happiness | 75% |
|---|---|
| Customer trust | 71% |
| Complaints performance | 79% |
| Transparency rating | 58% |
| Fairer Finance score Reviewed Spring 2018 |
71% |
| Customer happiness | 67% |
|---|---|
| Customer trust | 69% |
| Complaints performance | 79% |
| Transparency rating | 42% |
| Fairer Finance score Reviewed Spring 2018 |
64% |
| Customer happiness | 61% |
|---|---|
| Customer trust | 57% |
| Complaints performance | 68% |
| Transparency rating | 38% |
| Fairer Finance score Reviewed Spring 2018 |
56% |
| 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 |
| Cover for keys/locks if lost i | £1,000 |
|---|---|
| Matching sets i | |
| Trace & access i | £5,000 |
| 24hr helpline i | |
| Alternative accommodation cover limit i | 20% of sum insured or up to £80,000 |
| Compulsory excess i | £50 |
| Cover for keys/locks if stolen i | £1,000 |
| Escape of water excess i | £50 |
| Property owner liability i | £2,000,000 |
| Cover for keys/locks if lost i | £1,000 |
|---|---|
| Matching sets i | |
| Theft from outbuildings i | £3,000 |
| 24hr helpline i | |
| Alternative accomodation i | £10,000 |
| Cover for keys/locks if stolen i | £1,000 |
| Cycles included whilst in the home i | Part of sum insured |
| Money in the home i | £750 |
| New for old i |
| Cancelling before travel i | £5,000 |
|---|---|
| Medical excess i | £50 |
| Personal possessions & baggage - damaged, lost or stolen i | £0 |
| Abandoning your trip i | £5,000 |
| Combined passport & travel i | £750 |
| Cutting trip short/curtailment i | £5,000 |
| Emergency medical cover and repatriation i | £10,000,000 |
| Lost or stolen cash i | £300 |
| Max trip duration i | 31 days |
| Cancelling before travel i | £5,000 |
|---|---|
| Medical excess i | £50 |
| Personal possessions and baggage - damaged, lost or stolen i | £0 |
| Abandoning your trip i | £5,000 |
| Combined passport & travel i | £750 |
| Cutting trip short/curtailment i | £5,000 |
| Emergency medical cover and repatriation i | £10,000,000 |
| Lost or stolen cash i | £300 |
| Missed departure i | £1,000 |
| Hiring replacement winter sports equipment i | £200 |
|---|---|
| Single item limit for owned equipment i | £500 |
| Ski equipment owned i | £500 |
| Avalanche closure i | £200 |
| Piste closure i | £300 |
| Single item limit for hired equipment i | £400 |
| Ski equipment hired i | £400 |
| Ski equipment owned excess i | £50 |
| Unused ski pass due to illness or injury i | £300 |