Internet Banking - HSBC or First Direct

[$nake eye$]

Im going to be changing my current account over the next couple of months, and have narrowed it down to First Direct or HSBC. I dont use branches so will use online banking 99% of the time. Out of the two, is there one that offers more, or a smother transaction? I already have an HSBC account in Singapore, so was curious whether I could have all my HSBC account on once screen? I also heard FD is superb for Customer Service, but the internet banking side lacks a little.. Any experience of either would be appreciated.

[limpsfield]

firstdirect all the way. had an account for about 16 years now and proabbly the only company I would wholeheartedly reccommned.

do a search on here - they come out strongly reccommended all the time

[Mr Will]

Never tried HSBC online banking, but would recommend first direct whole-heartedly.

Every time I deal with them I come away thinking "Why can't every company be that good?"

[soprano]

Another vote for first direct here

[SteveScooby]

I'm with HSBC and have been for the last 3 years or so. No complaiants

[Big_Dog]

I moved from Barclays 4 years ago to HSBC. I have 3 business accounts and 2 personal. You cant see both business and private via the same page or login but can see all of the same type.
Good news for me is the call/help centre are great. If you cant get to the net and need the phone or you make a major foul up with an online payment (Oops) they tend to be able to sort it out.
Without being smug.

[Z4monster]

First Direct for me. I've seen the HSBC business online and thought it all a bit of a faff. FD give superb service both online and on the phone and you always have HSBC counter should you need it (Though I was told at HSBC that they are not technically the same bank)

[SGirl]

Z4monster said:

First Direct for me. I've seen the HSBC business online and thought it all a bit of a faff. FD give superb service both online and on the phone and you always have HSBC counter should you need it (Though I was told at HSBC that they are not technically the same bank)

Wot he said. I use FD for personal banking and HSBC for business, and First Direct is much more straightforward. You can use HSBC banks for FD counter service, and both the online and phone services of FD are excellent.

On the very few occasions in the past however many years that I've had reason to call FD with a problem, they've generally been very helpful.

[Wings]

limpsfield said:

firstdirect all the way. had an account for about 16 years now and proabbly the only company I would wholeheartedly reccommned.

do a search on here - they come out strongly reccommended all the time

+ Agree, been banking with them for over 18 years, by far the best online 24/7 telephone bank.

[$nake eye$]

Thanks all, looks like FD could be a wise move. 24/7 call center is a plus should I need to call them from Singapore.. and if i can use the HSBC branches as FD, then that works too.. Plus they offer £100 to move to them!

[Iain328]

FD all the way. HSBC's online security is tedious and their call centres are crap (mostly in India). FD's call centres are all still in Scotland I think. Been with them for 10 years + & zero complaints.

Also have a couple of personal & and some business accounts with HSBC & much prefer what FD do & how they do it.