Yahoo News First Direct axes popular feature and account holders will 'really miss it'
A major bank with 1.5 million customers has axed a popular service - sparking fury. First Direct is doing away with its text message banking service, it has told account holders in an email this week, sparking much anger and a backlash.
A spokesperson for First Direct said: "We are removing text message banking services from August 10 for our customers that are registered for online or mobile banking. This service remains in place for those who aren't. There's lots of other ways for customers to access information about their account.
"Push notifications are now available to all customers through mobile and online banking, providing detailed and up-to-date information about their balance and transactions in real-time." Responding to the move, a customer typed: "Automated service for a mini statement every Friday, I for one will miss it but it's not the end of the world.
"First Direct are a great bank, no physical branches so not everybody's cop of tea." A second wrote: "Oh dear! that might drop their rating banking levels down in the mind of customers - what are they thinking?"
"Hardly anyone needs a txt to give their balance now when they can just log into the app," another said. One X user said: "The bank @firstdirect will end its very useful text messaging alerts when money goes in or out of your current account in August.
"No consultation, just an email saying it’s over - get used to it. A bit like being dumped I guess! It almost said it’s not you, it’s us." Another said: "I'll really miss the daily texts. They let me keep an eye on the balance without needing to log into an app."
Another said: "Have banked with FD for more years than I can remember and have never activated this feature."
