Provider & protection
- Deposit-taker
- HSBC UK Bank plc, trading as first direct
- Country of incorporation
- England and Wales
- Principal place of business
- United Kingdom
- Regulated for deposit-taking
- Yes
- Prudential regulator
- Prudential Regulation Authority
- Deposit guarantee scheme
- Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS)
- Dispute resolution scheme
- Financial Ombudsman Service
- Paid up capital and reserves
- Exceeds £20 billion (as at 31 Dec 2025)
Eligible deposits are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) up to £120,000 per eligible person, per authorised firm, subject to eligibility and FSCS rules. The limit applies to the total held across every brand sharing that firm's authorisation, not to each brand separately.
The same authorised firm also trades as HSBC, HSBC Private Banking, HSBC UK, HSBC UK Bank, M&S Bank, M&S Insurance, M&S Savings and Investments, fd, fd bank and first direct bank. If you hold money with more than one of these, the compensation limit applies to your combined balance, not to each brand separately.
You apply directly with First Direct. SwitchScout is not the deposit-taker, does not accept deposits and does not process applications.
Provider details verified 20 Aug 2026 from the provider’s own disclosure.