Charges

first direct debit card

Using your card outside the UK

All foreign debit card payments or cash withdrawals outside the UK are converted to Sterling by VISA or MasterCard (as appropriate) using their Payment Scheme Exchange Rate which applies on the day of the conversion. Details of the current wholesale market exchange rates can be obtained by calling us on these numbers: in the UK  03 456 100 100 (Text-phone 03 456 100 147) or from outside the UK +44 113 234 5678 (Text Relay+44 151 494 1260).

For all foreign currency transactions, including cash withdrawals, we'll charge a fee of 2.75% of the transaction. This fee will be shown as a separate line on your statement as a 'non-Sterling transaction fee'. We'll deduct the payment from your account once we receive details of the payment from the card scheme, at the latest, the next working day.

See more information on the rate of exchange Visa  Opens an overlay [Will show a security message first]used when converting your transaction.

Using cash machines outside the UK

When using cash machines outside the UK, as well as the non-Sterling transaction fee (described above), we'll also charge an ATM transaction fee: currently 2% (minimum £1.75, maximum £5.00). But if you're a First Directory customer, you won't be charged this extra fee (applies to the account the First Directory fee debits from).

Please be aware that some cash machine operators may also apply an additional charge for withdrawals made from their cash machines, and this will be advised on screen at the time of withdrawal.

Overdraft interest

You can request an arranged overdraft, or request an increase to your existing arranged overdraft limit, on your 1st Account (but not on a savings account) by making a formal request – before you make any payments or withdrawals from your account that take you over an existing arranged overdraft limit, you ask us for, and we agree to provide you with, an arranged overdraft or an increase to an existing arranged overdraft limit.

An unarranged overdraft is when you authorise a payment that would take your account overdrawn or beyond your arranged limit without agreeing in advance an overdraft to cover it. We’ll always consider an unarranged request and will make the payment if we can subject to status. An unarranged overdraft may result in declined transactions

Unarranged Overdraft interest

We will normally charge you unarranged overdraft interest of 39.9% EAR variable on any day your 1st Account is in unarranged overdraft. We won’t charge Unarranged Overdraft interest if covering funds are paid in before the end of the day (defined as 11:45pm).

We won't charge you more in unarranged overdraft interest than the maximum unarranged overdraft agreed in that charging month (e.g. the cost of a £15 unarranged overdraft will be limited to £15).

The monthly cap on unarranged overdraft interest for your 1st Account is £20.

Monthly cap on unarranged overdraft charges

A charging month normally starts on the day in the month you originally opened your account.

1. Each current account will set a monthly maximum charge for:

(a) going overdrawn when you have not arranged an overdraft; or

(b) going over/past your arranged overdraft limit (if you have one).

2. This cap covers any:

(a) interest and fees for going over/past your arranged overdraft limit;

(b) fees for each payment your bank allows despite lack of funds; and

(c) fees for each payment your bank refuses due to lack of funds.

Unarranged Overdraft interest: when this applies and what you might pay 

If you use your 1st Account to send money when you:

• don't have enough money in your account and haven't agreed an arranged overdraft with us, or
• go over your arranged overdraft limit.

you will normally have to pay unarranged overdraft interest.

Below, we've given examples of what we might charge you for sending money from your account when you haven't enough money - you can use your bank statements to identify scenarios that might apply to you. Once you have worked out reasons why you might be charged, it could help you avoid charges in future.

Example 1

We refuse a payment from your account because there is not enough money in your account.

No charge

Example 2

A payment from your account takes you into an unarranged overdraft and you make another payment from the account while you are overdrawn or over your limit. All in all, you are in unarranged overdraft for two days during the charging month.

You would be charged 39.9% EAR variable on the unarranged overdraft balance

Example 3

A payment from your account takes you into an unarranged overdraft, and you make eleven more payments from the account while you are overdrawn or over your overdraft limit. You end up being in unarranged overdraft for 10 days during the charging month.

You would be charged 39.9% EAR variable on the unarranged overdraft balance

Example 4

A payment from your account takes you into an unarranged overdraft. You are in unarranged overdraft for 21 days in a row during the month and you make 12 more payments from the account while you are in unarranged overdraft.

You would be charged 39.9% EAR variable on the unarranged overdraft balance but we will never charge more than £20 per charging month in Unarranged Overdraft interest.

These examples are meant to show how different actions can result in different charges, and they are only examples, so you shouldn't see them as actions you might take and charges you might have to pay, and we might not allow you to use your account in the ways shown.

It's best to avoid going over your agreed limit wherever possible and you should contact us if you need help to manage your account or are struggling with your finances.

For details of all the charges and interest rates for your 1st Account, please see the Banking charges page.

About your arranged overdraft

We will regularly review your arranged overdraft to make sure your overdraft borrowing is still suitable. When we review your account we may choose to reduce or remove your overdraft limit. If we choose to do this we will contact you beforehand to let you know.  

You can reduce or remove your arranged overdraft limit at any time by calling us on 03 456 100 100. Please make sure that you’re within any new arranged overdraft limit or in credit before doing so to avoid any impacts to your credit file. If you wish to re-apply for a new or increase your arranged overdraft limit again in the future, this will be subject to a full application.