First Direct review
Updated October 13, 2026 · VaultCue Editorial Team
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Our verdict
first direct differs from savings-only providers because easy-access saving sits beside current accounts, loans, cards, mortgages and insurance in one bank. It is a UK bank for people who want everyday current account banking with a linked place to save.
Key facts
- Best for
- UK residents wanting everyday banking with linked easy-access savings
- Minimum deposit
- £1↗
- Access terms
- Savings accounts open only to existing 1st Account customers↗
- Account kind
- Easy access↗
- Legal entity
- HSBC UK Bank plc↗
- Headquarters
- United Kingdom↗
- Support channels
- Phone, Help-centre↗
- Official website
- firstdirect.com
Facts checked September 26, 2026, 2 sources
Pros and cons
Pros
- Straight talking banking in black and white with simple mobile money tools
- Serves more than 1.7 million UK customers with many staying over a decade
- Provides current accounts, easy access savings, loans, cards, mortgages and insurance
Cons
- UK customer focus leaves no route for residents based in other countries
- Savings open only to existing 1st Account holders, limiting standalone access
Who it suits
- UK residents seeking current account banking and savings together
- Beginners wanting simple budgeting tools and everyday mobile control
Who should look elsewhere
- People living outside the UK
- Savers wanting standalone saving without a current account
How First Direct compares
Where First Direct is available
- Available
- United Kingdom
Countries from the brand (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Frequently asked questions
What products does first direct offer?+
first direct covers current accounts, easy-access savings, loans, credit cards, mortgages and insurance for everyday needs. Current accounts include mobile controls such as budgeting tools and the ability to freeze and unfreeze a card. Savings sit alongside everyday banking rather than as a separate specialist range.
Where does first direct operate?+
first direct serves customers in the UK and describes more than 1.7 million UK customers across its banking range. Its products, protection and service quality reporting follow UK arrangements for deposits and current accounts. People based outside the UK fall outside that stated customer base.
Who is first direct suited to?+
first direct suits UK residents who want current account banking and easy-access savings in the same place. Its plain language style, mobile controls and budgeting tools fit beginners and everyday money managers. Savers seeking a standalone option without a current account relationship will find access more restricted.
How are deposits with first direct protected?+
Eligible deposits linked to first direct fall under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme, the UK arrangement for deposit protection. Balances held across this bank and affiliated banking names are added together when protection is calculated. Service quality information for current accounts is also published under Financial Conduct Authority requirements.
What is the minimum deposit at First Direct?+
The minimum deposit at First Direct is £1. (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Where is First Direct based?+
First Direct is based in United Kingdom. (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
How can I contact First Direct support?+
First Direct offers support through Phone, Help-centre. (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Sources
- firstdirect.com/savings.html checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Headquarters, Legal entity, Minimum deposit
“your eligible deposits with first direct are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (the UK's deposit guarantee scheme)”
- firstdirect.com/savings/compare-savings-accounts.html checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Access terms, Account kind, Support channels
“All our savings accounts are for existing 1st Account customers only.”
Compiled from 2 source pages, checked October 13, 2026. We did not open an account.
Not confirmed yet: Headline rate, Rate type, Term, Deposit protection.