First Direct - £175 Switch Bonus

Overview

First Direct is offering £175 to new customers who switch their main current account in via CASS and complete a short set of activity requirements within 45 days.

The offer started 9 September and runs until First Direct withdraws it (no fixed end date). First Direct is consistently rated one of the best UK banks for service, and the 1st Account also gives access to a 7% AER regular saver and a £250 0% overdraft buffer.

How to Claim

1. Apply for a First Direct 1st Account online or in the app
2. Within 45 days of opening, complete ALL of the following:
   • Start a full CASS switch with at least 2 direct debits OR standing orders
   • Pay in at least £1,000 (can be split across multiple deposits, doesn't have to be one lump)
   • Make at least 5 debit card payment transactions (excluded: gambling, credit card payments, insurance payments, cash withdrawals, card-to-card payments)
   • Register and log into the First Direct app or Online Banking
3. Receive £175 by the 20th of the month after qualifying

Requirements

• Must have never held a First Direct current account before, and must not have any First Direct product
• Must NOT have opened an HSBC current account on or after 1 January 2018 (First Direct and HSBC share group eligibility — strictest dormancy clause of any UK switch bonus)
• 18+ and UK resident
• Full CASS switch
• All four activity criteria met within 45 days

Key Benefits

• £175 cash bonus
• Top-rated UK customer service (consistently #1 in independent surveys)
• 7% AER Regular Saver — up to £300/month for a year
• £250 0% interest-free overdraft buffer
• Often stackable with TopCashback / Quidco for additional cashback (~£45)
• FSCS protected up to £85,000

Important Notes

• The HSBC Group dormancy rule is the most restrictive of any UK switch — check carefully before applying
• The £1,000 can be paid in across multiple deposits within the 45-day window (not a single-deposit requirement, despite some older guides claiming so)
• The 5 debit card transactions must be everyday spending (gambling, credit card top-ups, insurance, ATM withdrawals and card-to-card transfers DO NOT count)
• Joint account: only ONE £175 paid per account regardless of how many holders
• Bonus paid as a credit to your account on the 20th of the month after qualifying