banking

*Open a 1st Account and transfer your salary/income of at least £1500 within 3 months and we will add £100 to your account. This offer is only available for people who haven't yet experienced the delights of banking with first direct.

**We know you'll prefer banking with us - and if for some reason you don't, we'll help you move to another bank and give you an additional £100. Here's how our Service Guarantee works. If you are a new customer we'll pay £100 per customer or joint relationship if you close your 1st Account within 12 months of opening it, as long as a salary or income of £1500 or more has been paid into that account for at least 6 months, and you haven't previously banked with first direct. We'll pay the £100 into your 1st Account prior to its closure. All accounts with first direct have to be closed and your 1st Account transferred to another bank/building society.

We're here for you 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. You'll get straight through to a real person every time you call. And they'll be ready to help. first direct isn't like other banks.

And now, we've created a current account that lives up to the level of service we're famous for.

• satisfaction guaranteed - if you're not happy with first direct after six months, we'll help you move to another bank and give you £100 (subject to conditions)
• 96% of first direct customers polled in a Watchdog survey would recommend us^†
• a completely interest free £250 overdraft to help you manage your money. An arrangement fee may apply if you request an overdraft more than once every six months. Overdrafts above £250 will be charged at 12.9% EAR variable.
• text alerts to keep you on top of your finances wherever you are
• a free sweep facility that you can set up which automatically moves any spare cash into a high earning savings account each month
• banking with first direct usually costs £10 a month, but it's free when you pay in at least £1,500 to your 1st Account each month, hold a selected first direct additional product, or maintain an average monthly 1st Account balance of £1,500. See our full terms and conditions
• use our Easyswitch facility to switch from your existing current account - just one call and we'll do the rest
• exclusive to 1st Account holders - 8% AER/Gross fixed for 12 months - Regular Saver Account 12 month fixed term with no withdrawals allowed (terms and conditions apply). Interest paid on maturity.

^† Source: BBC Watchdog February 2008 - 13,126 BBC Watchdog viewers took part in the online vote into the customer service offered by 45 banks and building societies between 23 and 30 January 2008.