1st Account

*Open a 1st Account then transfer your banking using our Easyswitch service (transferring at least two Direct Debits and/or standing orders) and salary/income of at least £1,500 per month to your 1st Account within three months of your account opening and we will add £100 to your account. This offer is only available for people who haven't previously held any account with first direct and is limited to one payment per joint relationship.

**We're so sure you're going to enjoy banking with first direct and using your new 1st Account that we can make this simple promise. If you're not happy with our service after six months, we'll help you move banks and give you £100 for any inconvenience.

How does the service guarantee work?

Here's how it works. We'll pay £100 per customer or joint relationship if you close your 1st Account within 12 months of opening it, as long as a salary or income of £1,500 per month or more has been paid into that account for at least six months and you haven't previously banked with first direct. You'll also need to have used our Easyswitch service, which means we'll have obtained details of your standing orders and Direct Debits from your previous bankers and arranged to transfer them for you. We'll pay the £100 into your 1st Account prior to its closure. All accounts with first direct have to be closed and your 1st Account transferred to another bank/building society.

I've heard you're different from other banks - what's first direct all about?

We're here for you 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. You'll get straight through to a real person every time you call. And they'll be ready to help. first direct isn't like other banks. And now, we've created a current account that lives up to the level of service we're famous for:

• satisfaction guaranteed - if you're not happy with first direct after six months, we'll help you move to another bank and give you £100 (subject to conditions)
• a completely interest free £250 overdraft*** to help you manage your money. An arrangement fee may apply if you request an overdraft more than once every six months. Overdrafts above £250 will be charged. See interest rates and charges for details. (We always recommend that you contact us if you think you might need an overdraft so that you can avoid incurring unnecessary costs. Please see www.firstdirect.com/oftexamples for examples from the Office of Fair Trading to show how much an overdraft may cost you if not arranged in advance.)
• text alerts to keep you on top of your finances wherever you are.

***When assessing your application for an overdraft we will take into account your current Standing Orders and Direct Debits, using our usual criteria.

Is there a charge to bank with first direct?

Banking with first direct usually costs £10 a month, but you will not be charged this fee when you pay in at least £1,500 to your 1st Account each month, or maintain an average monthly 1st Account balance of £1,500, or hold a selected first direct additional product.

How can I move my current account with another bank to first direct?

You can use our Easyswitch facility to switch from your existing current account - just one call and we'll do the rest. Your Direct Debits and Standing Orders will be transferred from your current bank, stress free!

If there is a failure in the switching process we will refund any charges or interest you've paid to us, and if you are a Northern Ireland customer your old bank will refund any charges or interest you've paid to them.

If you are a Northern Ireland customer and you use our switching service we can offer you an interest and charge free overdraft for up to three months taking into account your existing Direct Debits and Standing Orders, subject to our usual credit assessment criteria.