first direct
Award-winning UK digital bank (HSBC subsidiary) offering fee-free current accounts, savings, and mobile banking
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Rating breakdown
Pros
- £175 switching bonus for new customers
- No monthly fees on current account
- Excellent Trustpilot rating — 2 million customers
- Virtual card available immediately on sign-up
- Spending insights and budgeting tools
- 24/7 phone and chat support
Cons
- UK only
- Part of HSBC — large bank overhead despite digital branding
- Limited investment products compared to dedicated platforms
- Switching requirements (Direct Debits, £1,000 deposit, 5 card payments)
Platform & features
Available on
Key features
Availability
Languages
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Last verified: 23 March 2026. Data confidence: high. Full risk disclaimer