Loans

How do I apply for a loan?

You can apply for a first direct loan via our App, through Online banking or over the phone.

Applying via the first direct App

To apply for a loan on the first direct mobile banking app...

Download the app and register, if you haven't already.
Sign in and select the three vertical lines or 'more' from the menu
Select 'Products' followed by 'Personal Loan'

Apply via Online banking

To apply for a loan on our Online banking platform...

Log into Online banking
Click 'Products' on the left hand menu
Click 'Personal Loan'

Apply via phone

To apply over the phone, call our lending team on 03 456 100 199.

Lines are open from Monday to Thursday 8am to 10pm, Friday from 8am to 9pm, Saturday 8am to 8pm and Sunday 9am to 8pm.

Am I eligible for a loan?

To be eligible for a first direct Personal Loan, you will need to meet the following criteria:

you’re 18 or over
you're a UK resident and live permanently in the UK
you have an annual income or pension before tax of £10,000 or more
you have a first direct current account
you haven’t been declared bankrupt or registered for an Individual Voluntary Agreement in the last 6 years (or in the process of doing so)
for loans over £30,000, you must have held your first direct current account for 6 months or more.

Personal loans are subject to status. The rate you'll receive depends on your individual circumstances, credit checks and an assessment of your financial situation.

Make sure you can afford to repay any money you borrow. You may have to pay a fee if you miss a loan repayment. This can also harm your credit score and your ability to borrow in the future.

The longer you choose to pay back your loan, the more interest you'll pay overall.

What can I use a loan for?

You can use a loan for almost anything - from making a major purchase to consolidating your debts.

Here are some common reasons for taking out a loan with first direct:

10k loan - wedding, first car, new bathroom
15k loan - home redecoration, new garden
20k loan - large wedding, second car
25k loan - new kitchen
30k loan - electric vehicle
40k loan - large extension
50k loan - full home renovation, car

Please note these are examples only, the amount you can borrow is not restricted to specific loan types or purposes.

What can I do if I can’t afford my monthly loan repayments?

If you’re worried about your finances, please know you’re not alone – we’re here to help.

If you’ve missed a monthly loan repayment, or you feel that you might miss one soon, it’s important to get in touch with our Financial Support Team as early as possible.

To speak to a member of our Financial Support Team, call 03 456 100 188.

They’re available from 8am to 8pm from Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm on Saturday and 9am to 6pm on Sunday.

For more information, read our guide on dealing with financial difficulty.

How do I change my loan repayment plan?

If you want to change your loan repayment plan, you’ll need to call us to discuss your options. These could include restructuring your loan or consolidating multiple debts into a single monthly repayment.

You can call our lending team on 03456 100 199. They’re available from 8am to 10pm from Monday to Thursday, 8am to 9pm on Friday, 8am to 8pm on Saturday and 9am to 8pm on Sunday.

If you want to pay your loan off more quickly, you can make unlimited overpayments, which could help reduce the amount of interest you pay over the term of the loan. You can also repay your loan in full at any time. Please note that Early Repayment Charges may apply.

If you’re worried about future payments or missing a payment, it’s important you call our Financial Support Team as early as possible on 03 456 100 188. They’re available from 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm on Saturday and 9am to 6pm on Sunday.

Can I take out more than one Personal Loan?

Yes, you can take out more than one first direct Personal Loan. Although you should always make sure that taking on more debt is the right option for you.

You can apply for a loan on our App, via Online Banking or over the phone.

If you already have 2 or more first direct loans, or if you wish to restructure or consolidate your existing first direct loan(s), you’ll need to apply over the phone.

You can call our lending team on 03 456 100 199. We’re available from 8am to 10pm from Monday to Thursday, 8am to 9pm on Friday, 8am to 8pm on Saturday and 9am to 8pm on Sunday.

How do I claim a refund for a loan overpayment?

If you think you’ve paid more than you should have on your loan, we can take a look at that for you and refund any money you’re owed.

Give our lending team a call on 03 456 100 199 and they'll be happy to help. We’re available from 8am to 10pm from Monday to Thursday, 8am to 9pm on Friday, 8am to 8pm on Saturday and 9am to 8pm on Sunday.

Personal loan

Car loan

Home improvement loan

Debt consolidation

Lending guides

How to get a loan

Loan fees explained

Taking out a large loan

Getting the best from your loan

Early loan repayment guide

Will a debt consolidation loan hurt my credit score?

Personal loan vs car finance

Frequently asked questions