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You can earn

£175

Cash

First Direct is offering £175 to switch your current account. Known for award-winning customer service and a £250 0% overdraft buffer.

Complete in
20 mins
Payout
Within 28 days
Difficulty
Easy Peasy
Availability
Live

The short answer

What you do
Open a First Direct 1st Account
When you get paid
Within 28 days
Main catch
Deposit or spend neededExcluded if you've held an HSBC current account since January 2018.

Eligibility, full steps and terms are further down this page.

What you actually get: cash

Paid straight to you as money.

How to redeem
Lands in the bank account you sign up with - nothing to redeem.
Validity
No expiry once paid.
Can you cash it out?
Yes — it is real money
Verified by SmartPiggyLast checked 6 weeks ago · SmartPiggy teamHow we test

Refer-a-friend details

You get
£175
Qualifying action
Switch your current account to first direct

Source: My Side Gig — All UK Refer a Friend Offers · last checked 2026-08-27

Get paid in 4 steps

Follow these in order. Skipping a step is the #1 reason rewards don't track.

Step 1: Open a First Direct 1st Account

Step 1 of 4 — the sooner you complete it, the faster your reward tracks.

Step 2: Switch via CASS with 2+ Direct Debits

Everyday spending counts — groceries, fuel, subscriptions. Refunds and gambling transactions don't.

Step 3: Deposit £1,000 within 60 days

Move the qualifying amount from your existing bank via faster payments. It arrives instantly and counts toward the bonus.

Step 4: Bonus paid within 28 days

You'll need a photo ID (passport or driving licence) and a selfie. Usually approved in under 5 minutes.

First Direct logo

First Direct — Award-winning customer service

Excluded if you've held an HSBC current account since January 2018.

Am I eligible?

We haven't recorded eligibility criteria for this offer yet. Check the provider's own terms before you start.

Insider tips

  • Complete the whole flow in one sitting — leaving it half-done is the top reason £175 bonuses fail to track.
  • Take screenshots of each step in case you need to raise a support ticket later.
  • Add a calendar reminder for the qualifying deadline so you don't miss it.

Reward type

Within 28 days

Time to complete

20 mins

Withdraw via

Bank transfer

First Direct logo

About the provider

First Direct

Award-winning customer service

Known for top-rated customer service and a £250 0% overdraft buffer.

Safety

FSCS protected. Part of HSBC group.

Fees

No monthly fee.

Devices

Web · iOS · Android

Category

Bank

What we like

  • Excellent customer service
  • 0% overdraft up to £250
  • £175 switch bonus

Watch out for

  • Excluded if you've had HSBC since 2018
Full First Direct review
Community codes

Share the love — swap referral codes

Members drop their personal invite codes here. Codes rotate fairly so everyone gets a turn. Report any code that doesn't work.

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FAQs

How long until I actually get the money?+

Payout timing isn't confirmed for this offer yet — check the provider's own terms before you start. Open a 1st Account, switch via CASS, deposit £1,000 within 60 days.

Is this safe? Will it hurt my credit score?+

FSCS protected. Part of HSBC group. This offer doesn't involve a credit check.

What are the fees?+

No monthly fee.

Can I close the account after I get the bonus?+

Yes — once the reward has cleared and any minimum holding period has passed, you're free to close the account. We recommend waiting at least 30 days after the bonus lands to be safe.

What if the reward doesn't track?+

Contact First Direct support first with your sign-up date and screenshots. If you're still stuck, ping the SmartPiggy team and we'll help chase it up.

The small print

SmartPiggy may earn a commission when you claim this offer — it costs you nothing and helps keep our reviews free (affiliate disclosure). Rewards, timings and eligibility are set by First Direct. Always read the provider's full T&Cs before you sign up. When it comes to money, your capital may be at risk. See our editorial policy for how we score and re-check offers.

Last checked 6 weeks ago by SmartPiggy team.

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You get

£175