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US citizens in the UK · Institutions

Which First Direct accounts accept US citizens

Last checked

First Direct has been checked for US citizens across 2 account types. Both are open to a US person.

If you already have an account with First Direct, a second one there is usually the easier application, because First Direct has already checked who you are. Each account below carries its verdict, the evidence behind it and the date it was checked.

At a glance

Account Verdict Last checked
Current accounts Opens
Savings accounts Opens

Current accounts

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Opens

First Direct publishes three conditions for the 1st Account: over 18, UK resident, and no bankruptcy or individual voluntary arrangement in the last six years. Nothing turns on citizenship or on being tax resident in the UK alone.

FSCS £120,000 · app and phone, no branches

Account Terms The catch
1st Account
Monthly fee
Free
Interest
None
Abroad
No fees on spending abroad
 —

Source: First Direct 1st Account, 2026-08-17 Last checked First Direct's own page

Savings accounts

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Opens

The only stated tests are UK residence and holding a First Direct 1st Account, with nothing about citizenship or tax residency elsewhere. Every savings product is closed to non-customers, so the current account has to come first. The US taxes the interest as ordinary income.

FSCS £120,000, shared with HSBC UK · online, app or phone, no branches

Account Terms The catch
Regular Saver
Access
Regular saver
Rate
7.00% AER, fixed
Min
£25 a month
Max
£300 a month
Rate as of
 Pay in £25 to £300 a month by standing order and hold a 1st Account; closing early drops you to the standard variable rate.
Fixed Rate Savings
Access
Fixed term
Rate
4.50% AER, fixed
Term
to 8 October 2027
Min
£2,000
Max
£1,000,000
Rate as of
 One deposit of £2,000 or more, no partial withdrawals, and you must hold a 1st Account. Closing early costs up to 90 days of interest, and this rate is on offer until 8 October 2026.
Bonus Savings Account
Access
Easy access
Rate
3.35% AER, variable
Min
£1
Rate as of
 Only in a month with no withdrawal, on balances up to £50,000, and you must hold a 1st Account; otherwise 1.05%.

Source: First Direct savings, 2026-08-17 Last checked First Direct's own page

Account names link to the provider's own site. momo has no active affiliate partnerships; if that changes it will be disclosed and will never change a verdict. Every institution, A to Z.

Confirm your own position with a cross-border specialist. Acceptance policies and tax rules change, and your facts may differ from the general case. Rates and terms here are the provider's published figures rather than an offer, and the provider decides each application on its own criteria. Use this as a map, not a ruling. Last checked .
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