Current Offer
£175
Switch bonus
What You'll Need
- Full CASS switch with 2+ direct debits/standing orders
- Deposit £1,000 within 45 days
- 5 debit card transactions within 45 days
- Register for digital banking
- New customers only (never previously held First Direct account)
Not sure if you're eligible? Check now
Our eligibility checker tells you which offers you qualify for based on your banking history.
Step-by-Step Guide
Apply for your new account
Open the new current account online, via the bank's app, or in branch. You'll need proof of identity and address. Most applications take 10-15 minutes.
Set up your direct debits and standing orders
Make sure you meet the minimum direct debit or standing order requirements before requesting the switch. Set these up in advance so they're active when the switch completes.
Request the switch via CASS
Initiate a full Current Account Switch Service (CASS) switch from your new bank. This is free, and your new bank handles everything — moving payments, redirecting transfers, and closing your old account.
Wait 7 working days
CASS guarantees the switch completes within 7 working days. During this time, all your direct debits, standing orders, and salary payments are automatically moved to your new account.
Verify and meet bonus conditions
Once the switch is complete, make sure you've met all the offer requirements — minimum deposits, card transactions, app login, etc. Check your new bank's app or online banking to confirm everything is in order.
Perks
- 7% AER Regular Saver (up to £300/month)
- £250 interest-free overdraft buffer
- Fee-free debit card spending abroad
- Top-rated customer service
Banking Group — HSBC Group
First Direct is part of HSBC Group. Switching between banks in the same group usually doesn't qualify for a switch bonus. If you currently hold an account with any of these brands, you may not be eligible:
Timeline
Application
10–15 minutes
Switch completion (CASS)
7 working days
Bonus payment
Varies by bank
Cooling-off period before you can switch away: 12 months
Calculate your total earnings potential
See how much you could earn from bank switches, stoozing, and regular savers combined.
Track your First Direct switch in StoozeMax
Log your switch, track the cooling-off countdown, and get notified when you're eligible to switch again. Free forever.
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