Brand Overview: First Active
First Active is a consumer financial services brand operating as part of National Westminster Bank plc (NatWest Group). Originally established in 1861 as a building society before its acquisition by the banking group, the brand operates as an online savings provider serving personal banking customers in the United Kingdom.
Contact Info
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 0800 107 5959
Industry and Operations
First Active operates within the retail banking and savings sector. Its model centers on simple, online-only deposit accounts backed by the regulatory coverage and protections of NatWest.
- Easy Access Savings Accounts: Online savings products that accrue interest with flexible withdrawal and deposit terms.
- Digital Account Management: Web-based interface for managing funds, checking statements, and transferring money to nominated accounts.
- Financial Protection: Deposit safeguarding provided under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) through its parent bank.
User Sentiment
User sentiment regarding First Active is largely critical, with customer feedback dominated by complaints regarding operational delays, onboarding bottlenecks, and difficulty obtaining direct assistance.
- Lengthy Account Setup Delays: Numerous users highlight waiting several weeks to over a month for new account applications to be reviewed and activated.
- Generic Customer Support Responses: Reviewers frequently mention receiving repetitive, automated messages stating the service is busy rather than clear timelines or updates.
- Difficulty Accessing Live Help: Customers report frustration with automated assistance and long response times when attempting to reach customer service representatives.
- Verification and Technical Roadblocks: Users point out technical snags during identity checks or when connecting external nominated bank accounts.
- Lost Interest Potential: Prospective savers report dissatisfaction that prolonged application processing prevents them from earning advertised interest rates in a timely manner.
Share Your Experience
If you’ve experienced issues or delays with First Active, you’re not alone. Share your experience or file a complaint on Xolvie to let your voice be heard.