1st Account
Switching bonus from First Direct
Bonus
£175
Penny's take
Solid, low-hassle reward from a well-regarded bank. First Direct's fee-free 1st Account pays £175 to switchers who deposit £1,000, make five card payments, and transfer at least two direct debits within 45 days — a moderate but manageable checklist. The ongoing package adds genuine everyday value: a £250 interest-free overdraft buffer and no First Direct fees on overseas spending make this worth holding beyond the bonus.
The biggest catch is eligibility: anyone who has ever held a First Direct product, or opened an HSBC current account since January 2018, is automatically excluded. If you clear that hurdle, this is a strong pick for everyday switchers who want a reputable, no-fee account with a meaningful cash reward and useful long-term perks.
Requirements at a glance
Deposit requirement
Direct Debits
Transactions
Monthly fee
Online Banking
How to qualify
Requirements
- •Switch using the Current Account Switch Service (CASS)
- •Transfer at least 2 Direct Debits or standing orders
- •Deposit £1,000 within 45 days of account opening
- •Make 5+ debit card payments within 45 days of account opening
- •Log on to digital banking within 45 days of account opening
- •New customers only – must not have previously held a first direct product
- •Must not have opened an HSBC current account on or after 1 January 2018
- •UK residents only
Things to check
- You can never have had any First Direct products or opened an HSBC current account on or after 1 January 2018.
- £200 is made up of £175 base bonus plus a £25 boost for accounts opened between 18 May and 15 July 2026 — after that date the bonus reverts to £175.
Account Benefits
No monthly fee
Use the 1st Account without paying a monthly account charge.
£250 interest-free overdraft
The first £250 of an approved arranged overdraft is interest-free; borrowing above it is charged.
No First Direct fees abroad
First Direct charges no debit-card fee for overseas purchases or cash withdrawals; third-party charges may remain.