FirstactiveReviews of firstactive.com

Seriously considering not using this outfit. If it takes almost 2 weeks and counting to open an account I'm wondering how easy its going to be to get my savings out from them when I need to. I've over 6 accounts at other NatWest Group companies, many held for years and I really don't understand why, after nearly 2 weeks, my application is still not yet approved. I've now cancelled the application but been asked to jump through more hoops. So it's now 3 weeks and still no approval. What a joke outfit. I'm in the process of drastically reducing my exposure to the NatWest Group. 1 credit card cancelled, 1 savings account closed, 3 others virtually closed and 1 more in progress due to the withdrawal limits. Petty but feeling good about it

Still waiting after a week for account to be opened. Zero information as to why it is taking so long. Has always been instant with other online banks and so I’ve no idea as to what the problem is with this bank. Update - still waiting after two weeks. Ridiculous from an apparently UK regulated bank.

In line with other posters, this is the most laughable account opening experience I've ever witnessed. 10 days of "waiting for verification" - are they serious???? I've never seen it take more than a few minutes. A total joke - already moved the money that I was going to transfer to another bank. Whoever runs their account opening need to be let go before they cause more damage to the bank's reputation (or what's left of it)

Opened a new savings account on 25/08/26 Still not open today 7/9 a full * 13 days later * and counting. Surely someone at this company must have anticipated the expected demand for this account. Clearly not!

Appalling. Nearly two weeks now and they are incapable of opening my account. Just emails telling me how busy they are! Even though I’ve told them I no longer wish to proceed they still seem to think that I want to open an account with them. They and Nat West should be embarrassed but they seem oblivious to their failings. Update (24/09/2026). I received an email this morning informing me they had now declined my application (no reason). After weeks they are presumably just making it up as they go along. I have told them more than once that I wished to cancel my application because of their incompetence but they ignored those instructions. Utter clowns - presumably Nat West believe that this is how to deal with potential ‘customers’. In the meantime I have opened and funded a cash accounts elsewhere with minimum fuss. I certainly will not invest via Nat West and its subsidiaries again - clowns.

Would give them zero if I could Absolute joke, been well over 2 weeks and still wait for savings account to be opened. Would steer clear says part of NatWest so will avoid them also. So so poor.

Absolutely terrible !! I applied for an account 10 days ago and still have not received a decision. I have received 2 emails apologising for the delay. A Micky Mouse operation, I have lost any confidence that my money would be secure with this bank.

I also applied to open an account with First Active, but the account is still not open... So far all they say is that "we received a lot more applications than usual", that's a pathetic excuse and the phone line customer service is poor. This is not a financial institution it's a joke. I intend to: withdraw my application and consent, have my data removed under article 17 of GDPR, report this so called financial institution to their regulators the PRA and FCA, report them to Natwest Bank PLC. If they cant operate like a bank then they should not be a bank, how to trust them with my money and personal information....