We'll be the first to admit legal copy isn't the most thrilling of reads, but these legals show some details about first direct, our commitment to our customers and generally what to expect from our products.
For written quotations and full details of our services, write to first direct, 40 Wakefield Road, Leeds LS98 1FD, or call 03 456 100 100.
Opening an account
first direct 1st Account and other services are not available for business use.
Applicants must be aged 18 or over. Calls may be monitored and/or recorded for training/security purposes. All applicants must have a private telephone and a UK residential address. first direct has a Minicom Text Telephone Number which is 03 456 100 147.
We reserve the right to decline to offer you an account.
first direct credit facilities are subject to status.
The Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS)
We're covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). The FSCS can pay compensation to depositors if a bank is unable to meet its financial obligations, and most depositors are covered by the scheme.
An eligible depositor is entitled to claim up to the current FSCS limit for deposits. For joint accounts each account holder is treated as having a claim in respect of their share so, for a joint account held by two eligible depositors, each depositor would have a claim up to the FSCS deposit limit and so the maximum amount that could be claimed would be twice the current FSCS deposit limit. The FSCS deposit limit relates to the combined amount in all the eligible depositor's accounts with the bank, including their share of any joint account, and not to each separate account. first direct and HSBC are both trading names of HSBC UK Bank plc and customers who hold deposits with both trading names of HSBC UK Bank plc will only be eligible to one claim, up to the FSCS deposit limit.
M&S Bank is a trading name of Marks & Spencer Financial Services plc and is part of the HSBC Group. Deposits held with M&S Bank will be covered separately to deposits held with HSBC UK Bank plc, under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme, as both organisations are covered by separate banking licences. Therefore customers who hold deposits with both M&S Bank and with HSBC or first direct would be eligible to claim up to the FSCS deposit limit from both companies (up to twice the FSCS deposit limit in total).
For further information about the compensation provided by the FSCS (including the current limits, amounts covered and eligibility to claim) please visit the FSCS website www.fscs.org.uk Opens an overlay [Will show a security message first] or call the FSCS on 0207 741 4100 or 0800 678 1100.
Information on our rates
- all rates shown are per year
- apart from our Personal Loan, Regular Saver and Fixed Rate Savings rates, all our rates are variable
- Personal Loan rates can change but once a loan is opened, the rate is fixed for the full term
- AER stands for Annual Equivalent Rate which shows what the rate would be if interest was paid, compounded each year (interest on your interest) and no tax was taken off
- all credit interest will be paid without tax being taken off (paid gross)
- when we change our borrowing rates we'll usually advertise them in The Independent, The Times and The Guardian newspapers.
Our regulators
We are fully committed to following requirements of the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority who regulate the financial services industry in the UK. The Money Advice Service produces a number of useful guides for consumers. Copies of these are available online at moneyadviceservice.org.uk Opens an overlay [Will show a security message first].
Sharedealing service
Please remember that the value of shares and the income from them can go down as well as up and so you may not get back as much as you invested.
Mortgages
first direct mortgages are subject to status and security.
first direct will supply information and product details to help you to make an informed decision about the most appropriate mortgage from our range, but we don't offer advice on mortgage lending.
You must have a minimum mortgage of £30,000 to qualify for an Offset Mortgage. With an Offset Mortgage, a charge is taken over the property to secure the house purchase loan and any linked borrowing.
Think carefully before securing other debts against your home. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
About us
first direct is a division of HSBC UK Bank plc which is a member of the Financial Ombudsman Service. Further details of the Scheme are available from Exchange Tower, London E14 9SR.