Customers of Nationwide and Santander, as well as other major banks, are in for a festive financial boost with the chance to pocket a free £175 Christmas bonus. The offer comes from First Direct, and Martin Lewis of MoneySavingExpert.com has highlighted this lucrative opportunity.
To qualify for the cash incentive, customers need to switch to First Direct and meet certain criteria. Mr Lewis emphasised the urgency, stating: “Grab a FREE £175 in time for Christmas. All banks, bar one, have turned off their switching bribes. I hope some will return, but there’s no guarantee.”
Eligibility extends to clients of Bank of Scotland, Royal Bank of Scotland, Nationwide, Santander, Barclays, NatWest, Lloyds, TSB, among others.
First Direct details the requirements: “Within 45 days of your account opening you need to: switch to us using the Current Account Switch Service (including at least 2 Direct Debits or standing orders), deposit £1,000, make 5+ debit card payments, and log on to digital banking. New customers only, who haven’t previously held a first direct product.”
However, the offer does come with a caveat: “Sorry, we also can’t offer this to people who have opened an HSBC current account on or after 1 January 2018. Offer can be withdrawn at any time. Subject to status. UK residents only.”, reports Birmingham Live.
Carl Watchorn, head of banking at first direct, enthused over the deal, saying, “Our customer service is award-winning. To thank customers for choosing to come and experience it, we’re bringing back our popular £175 incentive. This is in addition to our £250 interest-free overdraft, fee-free overseas transactions and ATM withdrawals and access to a 7% interest Regular Saver account.”
He added that this incentive isn’t the only benefit new customers enjoy when they switch to first direct.
