First Direct will discontinue its First Directory insurance package by the end of this month. Priced at £15 per month, First Directory includes travel insurance, mobile insurance, and breakdown cover. Although new customers have not been able to access this product since 2020, existing customers have continued to benefit from it.
Starting July 31, First Direct has confirmed the permanent closure of the First Directory, prompting current users to seek alternative insurance options. For existing policyholders, travel insurance will remain valid for trips booked up to October 31, 2026, with the coverage extending to trips starting on or before that date.
Coverage for mobile insurance will also extend until October 31, 2026, for devices purchased on or before July 31, 2026. Additionally, motor breakdown cover will remain in effect until the same date. It is important to note that policyholders aged 70 and above will no longer be covered under the First Directory insurance.
In other banking news, Halifax, after 173 years, is set to disappear from UK high streets, with the brand transitioning to Lloyds. Halifax branches and customer accounts will be rebranded as Lloyds, with the Halifax brand ceasing to open new accounts. Account details such as numbers and sort codes will remain unchanged, but Halifax customers will be required to use the Lloyds app for online banking in the near future.
Customers will receive direct communication through trusted channels such as the Halifax app, online banking, email, and postal mail. Lloyds Banking Group, which includes Halifax and Bank of Scotland, has allowed customers to manage their accounts at all branches since early 2025, irrespective of the account’s brand.
The rebranding of Halifax branches to Lloyds will be completed by 2027, with assurances from the group that there will be no job losses due to this transition. Lloyds Banking Group has announced additional branch closures, bringing the total number to 531 branches across the UK, with approximately 190 locations being former Halifax outlets.