banking

wherever you are, we're always a phone call away

first direct is ideally placed to provide a full range of international payment services because we're part of the HSBC Group, one of the largest banking and financial services organisations in the world. Whether you're sending money to, or receiving money from abroad, we can help with:

• international payments
• payments from abroad
• foreign cheque clearing
• International Personal Accounts (previously called Foreign Currency Accounts).

priority payments

This is the fastest and most secure method to transfer money overseas and is ideally suited for higher value transactions.

• funds will normally arrive within 2-5 working days but some payments can arrive on the same day
• for most destinations, we even give you the option to pay the beneficiary's bank charges, to ensure that they receive the full amount you wish to send.

international banker's drafts

first direct can supply drafts drawn on banks payable in 140 countries, sent to your home or work address.

• a cost effective means of sending funds worldwide
• drafts are an ideal way of sending a gift of money or to pay for goods and services in the beneficiary's local currency or sterling.

If you receive cheques or dividends from abroad, we can arrange to pay these into your account.

if you use a currency often

A choice of foreign currency accounts are available in a range of currencies.

• suitable if you regularly make and receive payments in a particular foreign currency, travel to certain countries, own a property abroad or have surplus currency funds
• International Personal Accounts (previously known as Foreign Currency Accounts) are available to 1st Account customers
• you can choose immediate access or fixed term deposit accounts.

For up-to-date interest rates, exchange rates, minimum balance requirements and the fixed term periods, please contact us.