0% EAR variable on the first £250, 39.9% EAR variable thereafter, giving a representative rate of 30.5% APR variable (assumed arranged overdraft £1,200).
**For customers with an offset mortgage linked to a 1st Account, the interest-free limit will not apply.
Put away between £25 and £300 for a fixed 12 month term. If you save £300 every month for 12 months and qualify for the 7.00% AER/gross p.a. interest rate, you'll earn approximately £136.50 interest (gross). Interest is calculated daily and paid 12 months after you opened the account.
AER stands for Annual Equivalent Rate. This shows you what the rate would be if interest were paid and compounded each year. Gross is the rate of interest if interest were paid and not compounded each year. No partial withdrawals allowed. Early closure will result in interest being paid at the standard account variable rate.
Step 1: Open an account
Switching your everyday banking to your new first direct account is easy. Once your first direct account is open, simply log into your first direct app, select the account you wish to transfer into, tap 'switch to us' from your account menu and follow the instructions. We will ask you for your account details, existing account details and preferred switching date. Step 2: We'll let your old bank know Once we’ve received your switch request and your current account is open, we’ll let your old bank know you're moving. Step 3: Switching Days 2 to 6 We set up all your regular payments on your new first direct 1st Account. We tell all your Direct Debit originators you've moved banks and give them your new details, including your employer so your salary can be redirected. There's nothing at all for you to do, no calls or anything. Step 4: Switching Day 7 Job done! Your old bank account will close on the date of your choosing, and you'll be able to see the balance from your old account in your shiny new first direct 1st Account. We'll then let you know the switch is complete. It really is that easy. Subject to status. UK residents only. Our £175 current account switch offer ended on 31 July 2024. If you applied to switch to us on or before this date you can still get the offer. You just need to be a new customer, complete a full switch (including at least 2 Direct Debits or standing orders), deposit £1,000 (which must stay in your account for at least 24 hours), make 5+ debit card payments, and log on to digital banking – all within 30 days of your account opening.
An overdraft can be used to borrow money on your current account and can help in months where there are unplanned events. Overdrafts are not suitable for long term borrowing and will typically result in you being charged interest. An arranged overdraft is where we agree an overdraft limit with you. We share information about how you use your account with credit reference agencies. An unarranged overdraft is when you authorise a payment that would take your account overdrawn or beyond your arranged limit without agreeing in advance an overdraft to cover it. We’ll always consider an unarranged request and will make the payment if we can, subject to status. An unarranged overdraft may result in declined transactions. If you are in your unarranged overdraft for greater than 30 days this could have an impact on your credit file. The monthly cap on unarranged overdraft charges for the 1st Account is £20. Further details can be found online at our overdrafts homepage. Use our Eligibility Checker and Cost Calculator to find out more about our overdraft service before applying for or changing an arranged overdraft. You have 14 days to cancel an overdraft agreement beginning on the day we provide the overdraft or on the day you have received our letter, whichever is later. You can also ask us to reduce or remove your arranged overdraft limit at any time by calling us on 03 456 100 100. You’ll have to repay any overdrawn amount plus any interest for the period you’ve had it. **For customers with an offset mortgage linked to a 1st Account, the interest-free limit will not apply.
It gets even better than no first direct debit card fees when spending abroad. There's also no first direct fees for withdrawing cash from a cash machine outside the UK, or when making a debit card payment in a foreign currency in the UK. Of course, even though you'll pay no first direct fees, you may still be charged for fees that are outside of our control. For example, some cash machine operators may apply a direct charge for withdrawals from their cash machines (this should be advised on screen at the time of withdrawal).
Probably you! You just need to be over 18, a UK resident and haven't been declared bankrupt or registered for an Individual Voluntary Agreement in the last six years (or be in the process of doing so). You also need to have a phone number and email address so we can get in touch with you.
Go to our service quality page to find out how you can open an account and what information and documents you need to give us.
