High street bank First Direct has announced a huge change for customers, axing a key service.
The bank, which is owned by HSBC and has 1.9 million UK customers, has announced that its customers will no longer be allowed to use HSBC self-service cash machines to pay in money.
First Direct is an online-only bank in the UK and has no high street branches. Instead, customers can visit a HSBC branch to access face-to-face bank services.
But from April 9, 2025, customers will not be able to use HSBC self-service machines to make deposits into their First Direct accounts and will instead have to queue to speak to a member of staff.
And First Direct customers wanting to withdraw money from a HSBC account will also need to call 03456 100 100 ahead of time, if it’s more than can be taken out of a cash machine.
Customers can still use a Post Office to pay in money or withdraw cash, up to a maximum of £3,000 per day or £20,000 per year.
Customers can also visit Banking Hubs, which are a shared space for different banks run by Post Offices.
First Direct says: “We don’t have branches – but our friends over at HSBC do. So if you need to pay in cheques, you can drop into your local branch. You can pay in at the counter or you can use the cheque deposit machine by inputting your sort code and account number onto the keypad.
“At HSBC Full Service Branches, Cash Service Branches and Banking Hubs you can pay in cash over the counter. You won’t be able to use the self-service paying in machines.
“You can withdraw cash at the ATM or over the counter free of charge. You’ll need to arrange a withdrawal via the counter by calling us anytime on 03 456 100 100.”
