First Direct Mortgages

Digital high-street

HSBC's digital-first brand. Known for service quality and clean, transparent products. Often competitive on rates with no product fee options.

Where First Direct is strong

Excellent customer service reputation
Clean fee structure — many no-fee products
Direct-only — not available via brokers
Competitive at standard LTVs

Niche

Borrowers who value service and want to apply direct.

Quirks worth knowing

Not available via brokers — so a broker comparison won't include First Direct. Worth applying direct alongside a broker quote.

Documents

Standard pack via online application.

Who First Direct suits

Standard residential remortgages, service-focused borrowers comfortable applying online.

How to access First Direct's rates

For current First Direct mortgage rates and an indication of whether they\'d lend to you, a mortgage adviser can pull live quotes during a 15-minute call. The headline rate you see advertised is rarely the one offered — your LTV, term, credit profile and property type all change pricing.

First Direct is direct-only — a broker can't access them. Apply direct via firstdirect.com and use a broker comparison alongside. Request a callback for a real adviser quote.

Compare with other UK lenders

Halifax

High-street

Nationwide

High-street (building society)

Skipton Building Society

Building society

Frequently asked questions

Can I apply to First Direct via a mortgage broker? +

No — First Direct products are direct-only. Worth applying direct alongside a broker comparison so you don't miss them.

Is First Direct good for first-time buyers? +

First Direct accepts first-time buyer applications, though they're more notable for: borrowers who value service and want to apply direct..

What documents does First Direct need? +

Standard pack via online application.

Will First Direct accept my income type? +

First Direct's strengths include: Excellent customer service reputation. A mortgage adviser can confirm if your specific income pattern matches their criteria — request a callback below.

How long does a First Direct mortgage take? +

Most UK mortgages take 2–6 weeks from full application to offer. Product transfers with your existing lender are usually much faster — often same-day to 5 working days.