Firstactive Reviews 

Setting up the account was really easy, application process straight forward I had no problems at all I have managed to transfer money in to start saving I was a bit sceptical at first as I have never heard of Firstactive, but I hadn’t heard of First Direct when I opened an account with them & they were really good. Firstactive are really good & part of NatWest they just don’t have any branches, they are all online You are still covered the same way

How a bank can destroy its own reputation in 10 days (and counting). I lodged my application for their Easy Access account on 1 September and received anacknowlegement from First (In)Active. I have since been waiting for 10 days, during which time I received a further 4 messages from them saying they are very busy and sorry its taking so long to open. With each email, my concern about placing any money with them grows - how long must I wait to get the account opened but more importantly how long is it going to take to get your money out when you want it. Have opened and funded two other accounts with other banks in the last ten days - in both cases all verification completed either instantly or by next day. I am about to cancel my application as this is the most annoying and laughable outfit I have had the misfortune to try and place my hard earned with. I'm amazed this is, as claimed, a Natwest subsidiary - they need to get hold of their subsidiary fast before their reputation starts suffering too.

Opened an easy access account online a couple of days ago. It took about 10 minutes from start to finish. My deposits/transfers showed up instantly. Not sure why so many others are having problems.

Apalling would have gone for no stars if I could, its taken days and still not open - no confidence in placing any money here have gone elsewhere, slightly better rate, super efficient and opened within minutes

Same as everyone else - unbelievable delay - this account was to take over from my chase account which expires in a few days - will now put the money somewhere else! All other accounts are opened almost instantly!!!
3 hours after my review: just opened an account in about a minute with Monument paying 4.56 on same basis as first active - boom 🎉

I don't understand why Martin Lewis is recommending this account. As with the majority of reviews here, I applied to open their Savings account 11 days ago. I have received 2 emails apologising for the time taken to open the account stating heavy demand. I replied to both asking to cancel my application but received no replies. What a joke of a company! Please remove from Money Saving recommendations.

Probably my fault but my current bonus saver was stopping after 12 months and I naively assumed (as I have done in the past)..I would open a new account in a few hours. It has been almost 2 weeks with regular apologetic emails. Whether this is a volume thing or frankly a business that was just not ready, given it is a new offering from Natwest. Customer experience very poor, the FCA should insist that a notification is posted on their website highlighting they have current service issues. This delay has so far cost me a lot of lost interest.

As all the other one star reviews have stated, the application process is a total shambles. 2 weeks to date and still no sign of any progress. There are other options out there and I would urge people to give Firstactive a wide berth.

How can anyone have faith in a bank which has taken a fortnight, and counting, to open an account? The 'We're really sorry it's taking so long' emails just add salt into the wound. If you're not up to providing a service, don't offer it.
Update. It just gets worse. An email saying my account was open was followed by one less than 20 minutes later with yet another weasel apology and saying they would let me know when account was ready. I tried logging in and the bank doesn't recognise. I'm amazed they still have any customers.

One of the worst savings account i have ever attempted and I say attempted to open. I’m still waiting and waiting for verification. How come every other a point I have opened can do it straight away. What makes it even more laughable is that I have an account with NatWest- surely they have some cross checks that they can do automatically?

Just opened an account. It has taken less than 15 minutes including depositing a £1 test which was received immediately. First class.

Again, mirroring what many are saying here. Some seem to be struggling to get through automated process and many other, (like me thankfully) sailed through the middle with no issues. In under 10 mins from starting to apply, I tried a token £100 deposit to ensure links all working as expected and no issues at all.
In summary, (and I am a financial adviser) maybe try and see if it all goes well and smoothly and for any reason if the system struggles with the likes of verification, don't waste any more time on it, walk away. Hope that helps.

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.

Ive had 2 emails so far apologising for the delay as their so busy. Its been 5 days so far and no a/c. Yesterday I opened one with a different bank in minutes. Wouldn't recommend.

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.

Very quick and easy to setup account. Really happy with everything so far. Easy to navigate and use services on website.

Opened in minutes with fab rate. Natwests answer to Santander’s Cahoot!

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)

not sure what others are experiencing, but this took me minutes to open and it's very straightforward to use, and very competitive interest rates.

Was easy to set an account up no troubles for me despite everyone else’s poor experience