First Direct have only their greedy selves to blame for the position they have put theirselves into, you have done a good job voting with your feet and letting that greedy bank know how you and others feel, and I hope people in general start to take a much firmer stance by standing up to these would be dictators.
As far as other banks services are concerned, I once dealt with Lloyds and had hassle with them, so moved to Alliance & Leicester and never had any problems with them.

As everyone is now aware fd are having a laugh with there charges I spent over half hour talking to the poor soul at customer services
complete waste of time went round in circles as i get paid by cheque i'd like to know if there are any banks out there worth banking
with who dosent take 5 days plus to clear the cheque i closed my account today with first direct