Any experience with First Direct?

Ill be opening a bank account when I move to London next month. After doing a lot of research the only bank that seems to compare to my US bank, Ally, is First Direct. They appear to be the most advanced regarding mobile banking, apps, etc and customer service has been great when I called with an inquiry.

How has your experience been? Should I peruse them or stick with the Barclays, Lloyds and Hallifaxes of the world?

I've tried to sign up with them 2x. First they denied me outright because I happened to be between contracts for 2 1/2 weeks (they refused to put the application on hold while I finalised job offer stuff). 6 months later I was finally able to re-apply, spent a few months sending stuff back and forth, and was denied again - no reason given. I'm guessing it's because I haven't got 3 years' residency in the UK.

I've heard good things about them re: customer service (and everyone I dealt with was very pleasant), but that doesn't help much when they won't give you an account to begin with.

FWIW, I got an account with Lloyds the day I arrived, and just recently opened accounts with HSBC (business) and Barclays (ISA), so it's not like no other bank will deal with me.

I may apply again in another 6 months, but I may not bother.

Thanks EN. They told me I couldn't do anything without a UK residence which is fine. I guess I'll swing by Lloyds or Barclays and open one up as both banks have told me all they need is my current bank account with US address and passport to get things open. I'll switch once I've officially moved.