first direct comes top again

first direct has won yet another award for customer service. However, some customers aren't happy with the redesign of the bank's website.

first direct has achieved the highest ever score for a bank in a Which? customer satisfaction survey with a score of 93%.

Survey respondents were asked how satisfied they were with their bank’s telephone and online services, plus whether they would be willing to recommend their bank to a friend.

first direct’s success is no great surprise to anyone at lovemoney.com.The bankwon the ‘most loved’ award for both savings and current accounts in our personal finance awards for 2011. I wouldn’t be surprised if first direct wins both awards again in 2012.

What’s more, if you decide to switch to the bank's current account, thefirst direct 1st account, you won’t just benefit from outstanding customer service. You’ll also get a £100 switching reward. That’s as long as you’re a new first direct customer and you pay at least £1,500 a month into the account for the first three months.

Any downsides?

Well, first direct’s current account doesn’t pay any interest on credit balances. That’s unlike the Santander Preferred Current Account, whichas well payinga £100bonus for switching, also offers 5% interest on your money. You’ll get the interest on credit balances up to £2,500, and the offer is for one year only.

Admittedly, Santander has a poor reputation for customer service, but the combination of a cash bonus plus interest payments is very tempting.

Going back to first direct, it’s worth pointing out thatthe bankhas recently redesigned its website and has had a poor initial response from some of its users.

Still, when all is said and done, first direct’s reputation for excellent customer service is unrivalled. If customer service is your top priority, first direct is probably the bank for you.

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