First Direct switching bonus: how to claim it, step by step
First Direct regularly runs one of the better-known switch bonuses in the UK. It's an app and phone bank with no branches of its own, which catches some people out when it comes to paying in and meeting the conditions.
The bonus amount and exact rules change from time to time, so check our live First Direct offer page for today's figures. This guide covers how the process works and how to avoid missing out.
Who can usually get it
First Direct is part of the HSBC group. Its switching offers have typically excluded people who already hold, or recently held, a First Direct account — and group restrictions like this are common, so read the eligibility section of the current offer carefully before applying.
The steps
- 1Check the current offer and its deadline on our First Direct page.
- 2Make sure the account you're switching from has the direct debits the offer asks for, and that they're active.
- 3Apply for the First Direct 1st Account and choose a full switch using the Current Account Switch Service.
- 4After the switch date, pay in the minimum amount the offer requires, within the time limit.
- 5Meet any other conditions, such as a number of debit card payments, then wait for the bonus to be paid within the window stated in the terms.
Paying in, including cash
Most people meet the pay-in condition simply by having their salary redirected, which the switch service does automatically. You can also transfer money in from another account in your own name — check the offer terms, as some offers say how pay-ins must arrive.
Because First Direct has no branches, paying in cash works differently from a high-street bank. First Direct's own website lists the current ways to pay in cash, so check there before you rely on it for an offer.
Mistakes that stop people getting paid
- Opening the account without doing a full switch through the Current Account Switch Service.
- Switching an account that doesn't have active direct debits on it.
- Missing the pay-in deadline, or paying in less than the minimum.
- Not checking the exclusions for existing or past customers.
Common questions
- How much is the First Direct switching bonus?
- It changes over time. Our First Direct offer page shows the current amount and deadline, updated every week.
- Can I use a £1 direct debit to qualify?
- If the offer asks for active direct debits on the account you switch, a small direct debit is a common way to meet that. Always check the current terms, since banks set their own rules.
Live offers by bank
Each bank page shows the current bonus, who qualifies, the switch timeline and how to switch. Amounts are refreshed automatically every Monday.