First Direct will discontinue its First Directory insurance package by the end of the current month. Priced at £15 per month, the First Directory bundle includes travel insurance, mobile insurance, and breakdown cover. Although this product has been unavailable to new customers since 2020, existing customers have been allowed to retain it. However, First Direct has now announced that the service will be permanently closed on July 31, requiring customers to seek alternative insurance options.
For those with upcoming trips, the travel insurance will cover journeys booked up to and including July 31, 2026, and commencing up to and including October 31, 2026. Coverage for mobile insurance extends until October 31, 2026, for devices bought on or before July 31, 2026, while motor breakdown cover remains valid until the same date.
It’s important to note that the insurance coverage may terminate earlier if the policyholder turns 70, as First Directory has a maximum age limit of 69. However, customers can continue using their First Direct current account without any changes.
In related banking news, it was recently disclosed that after 173 years, Halifax will disappear from the high streets of the UK, being replaced by Lloyds. Halifax branches and customer accounts will eventually transition to the Lloyds brand, with Halifax ceasing to open new accounts. The account numbers and sort codes will remain unchanged, but Halifax customers will soon be required to use the Lloyds app for online banking.
Customers will receive direct communication through trusted channels, such as the Halifax app, online banking, email, and postal mail. Halifax and Bank of Scotland have been part of Lloyds Banking Group since 2009, allowing customers of all brands to manage their accounts at both Halifax and Lloyds branches since early 2025.
The rebranding of Halifax branches to Lloyds will occur throughout 2027, with assurance from the group that the transition will not result in job losses. Lloyds Banking Group has announced additional branch closures, totaling 79 on top of the previously planned 95 closures, leaving a total of 531 branches across the UK, including approximately 190 former Halifax outlets.
