Who are First Direct?
first direct is a division of HSBC UK Bank plc. Its 1st Account overdraft is interest-free on the first £250, then 39.9% EAR variable (checked October 2026).
Can I claim against First Direct?
You could, if any of these sound familiar:
- 01In your overdraft most of every month
- 02Wages in, straight back into the red
- 03Your limit went up while you were maxed out
- 04Charges kept coming, and nobody got in touch
Limit increases count too. Each one was a lending decision, so each can be looked at.
What you could get back
Average overdraft claim£2,0231
Overdraft interestRefunded
Fees and chargesRefunded
Interest on your refundAdded
Missed payment markersRemoved
Refunds usually run from when the bank should have stepped in. If you’re still overdrawn, a refund may reduce what you owe rather than being paid in cash.
Ombudsman decisions about First Direct
Published Financial Ombudsman decisions show how complaints like these are judged. Where a complaint is upheld, it is often only from a certain date or for certain lending. Every complaint is decided on its own facts, so these are examples, not a guide to what you’ll get.
- Upheld
first direct didn’t monitor the account or step in once there were clear signs of financial difficulty from April 2020. Sending letters was not enough.
Read decision DRN-5455553 - Not upheld
A £250 interest-free overdraft was approved fairly.
Read decision DRN-5613740
First Direct overdraft questions
Can I claim if I’m still overdrawn?
Yes. If the complaint is upheld, the refund may reduce your balance rather than being paid to you in cash.
Will my overdraft be taken away?
It can be. If a complaint is upheld, the bank may reduce or remove the overdraft and agree an affordable way to repay what’s left.
How long does First Direct have to reply?
Eight weeks. If First Direct hasn’t sent a final response by then, or you’re unhappy with it, the complaint can go to the Financial Ombudsman, normally within six months of the final response.
How far back can I claim?
Usually six years from the lending, or three years from when you realised you had cause to complain, whichever is later. Where an account is still running, the ombudsman has sometimes looked back further.
Complain to First Direct yourself
You don’t need a claims company. You can complain to First Direct directly using its complaints page. If you’re unhappy with the answer, or it hasn’t replied within eight weeks, you can take it to the Financial Ombudsman. Both are free.