Online Bank Accounts – UK

first direct (firstdirect.com) has been named best financial services provider at the 2010 Which? Awards, beating stiff competition from The Nationwide Building Society and Co-operative Bank.

 Over the last 12 months, first direct has achieved Which? Recommended Provider status for its current accounts, savings accounts and credit cards, as well as scoring consistently well in Which?’s customer satisfaction surveys.

 Which? chief executive, Peter Vicary-Smith, so commented:

 “To win a Which? Award, not only must a company offer outstanding products or services, it must also deliver exceptional value and a great customer experience. first direct is a deserved winner of this year’s Which? Award for Best Financial Services Provider.”

 first direct CEO, Matt Colebrook, said:

 “It’s a great honour to win this highly coveted Which? Award for Best Financial Services Provider. We always pride ourselves on pioneering amazing service, but being recognised by the leading independent consumer champion confirms we’re on the right track.”

first direct (firstdirect.com) has recently reduced the rate of its 5yr fixed rate repayment mortgage from 4.69% to 4.54% and lowered the arrangement and booking fee from £499 to £249 respectively.

This brings the total number of best buy mortgage products it offers to four with the existing offset tracker (2.59%), repayment tracker (2.39%) and 2yr fixed rate repayment mortgage (3.09%).

The mortgage has a Loan to Value of 65%.