No overdraft interest on the first £250 of your arranged overdraft (subject to status)
You'll only be charged interest on any arranged balance if you're overdrawn by more than £250.
Text alerts to help avoid charges
Don’t worry we won’t use text speak – and definitely no emoji's.
On 17 November 2019 we introduced new arranged overdraft text alerts. If you haven’t opted out of these alerts and we hold a UK mobile number for you, we’ll text to let you know if you’re using or are about to use your overdraft. We’ll also let you know the following day if you’ll be charged overdraft interest.
In addition, we also send you text alerts if your account balance goes over its arranged overdraft limit (an ‘unarranged’ overdraft).
The text alerts are sent to give you time to pay money (not a cheque) into your account before the end of the day - by 11.45pm. : If you do this you will avoid having to pay overdraft interest.
You can choose to opt out of receiving these alerts at any time by sending a message via Online Banking or the Mobile Banking App, or calling us on 03 456 100 100.
Opting out of alerts may mean you miss important information which can help you avoid costs. If you choose to opt out of text alerts, this will apply to all personal current accounts you hold with first direct.
I think I went into an arranged or unarranged overdraft late in the evening or early in the morning, but I didn’t get an alert.
Prior to July 2020, we operated a policy of not sending unarranged overdraft alerts late in the evenings and early mornings, even though we were required to do so from February 2018. We are writing to affected customers and refunding fees incurred for these overdrafts.
If you went into an arranged or unarranged overdraft late in the evening or early in the morning during this period, but had already received an overdraft alert earlier the same day, we may not be able to identify that you may be due a refund. If you think this has happened to you, please call us on 03 456 100 199 with as much information as you can about when this occurred, so we can investigate further. We think this may affect only around 100 customers.