First Direct large transfers and transfer limits in 2025

Need to make a large payment to a person or business in the UK or overseas? You might be buying a car or putting down the deposit on a house, or covering the bill for recent building work.

Whatever you have planned, you’ll need to find the fastest, cheapest and safest way to send a large sum all at once.

Below, we’ll be taking a look at what it’s like using UK bank First Direct to transfer large amounts. Our helpful guide will cover everything from transfer times and limits to security, fees and much more.

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Can you send large transfers with First Direct?

Yes, First Direct customers can send large sums via online, mobile or telephone banking. However, there are some limits depending on which method you use. We’ll cover these in more detail next.

You can also make CHAPS (Clearing House Automated Payment System) payments with the bank. These are unlimited, same day payments which come with an extra fee.

First Direct supports international transfers too, again with certain limits attached.

And of course, you’ll also need to be a First Direct current or business account customer before you can send money.

First Direct transfer limits

First Direct transfer limits vary depending on how you choose to make your transfer, and where you’re sending money to.

Let’s take a look:

It’s unlikely that you’ll be able to adjust these limits, but between the options above - especially CHAPS, which has no upper limit - you should have plenty of ways to send as much money as you need to.

What’s the maximum amount you can send with First Direct?

The most you can send online with First Direct to another UK bank account is £50,000 per day. If you’re transferring between your own First Direct accounts though, you can send up to £999,999 per day.¹

If you need to send more than the daily limit to another UK bank account, you’ll have another option - you can pay an extra fee and send a CHAPS payment. These have no upper limit.

Can you send multiple large transfers per day?

Yes, you can send multiple large transfers per day with First Direct.

However, you won’t be able to send more than the maximum daily limit for the payment type you’re making.

How to transfer large amounts with First Direct: Step-by-step process

Before you start setting up your payment, you’ll need to make sure you have the recipient’s bank details ready.

Here’s what you’re likely to need (including details required for international transfers):

• The recipient’s full name
• Their bank account number and sort code
• The type of account (personal or business)
• The International Bank Account Number (IBAN) - for international transfers
• The SWIFT/BIC code for their bank - for international transfers.

You’ll also need your Digital Secure Key issued by the bank - although you can also verify the payment biometrically via the First Direct mobile app.

With these details ready, you can simply follow these steps to send a large payment with First Direct:¹

1. Sign into your First Direct online banking or the mobile banking app
2. Select ‘Move Money’ on online banking, or ‘Payments’ on the app
3. If it’s someone you’ve paid before, you can select ‘Send to an existing payee’ and then choose a recipient from your saved payee list
4. If it’s a new payee, you’ll need to add their bank details and verify the payment - either biometrically or using your Digital Secure Key password.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to set up and confirm your payment.

If you’d like to send a CHAPS payment with First Direct, you’ll need to call the bank. It may not be possible to send this kind of payment via online or mobile banking.

➡️ Learn more about the Wise account

Is First Direct safe for large payments?

First Direct is a fully licensed and registered UK bank, and is strictly regulated.

As such, it is required to use advanced security measures to protect your money, transfers and your sensitive data too. These include encrypted online banking sessions, a dedicated security team and a guarantee to reimburse you if a fraudulent payment is taken from your account.²

However, it’s always wise to take steps to protect yourself when sending a large sum, especially if you’re doing it online. Here are some security tips to remember:

• Double-check the recipient’s bank details before confirming the payment - you might not be able to get the money back if the transfer is sent to the wrong account.
• Avoid sending money to people you don’t know, unless you’ve thoroughly researched and checked them out first.
• Never feel pressured into sending a payment - it could be a scam.
• Avoid sharing your online or mobile banking details with anyone.

How long do large transfers take with First Direct?

Need your payment to arrive urgently? If your transfer is time-sensitive (i.e. you’re exchanging contracts on a property purchase), it’s useful to know roughly how long large transfers take with First Direct.

Here’s a quick look at First Direct transfer times, including cut-off times for each payment type:³

First Direct large amount transfer fees and costs

So, how much does it cost to send First Direct large transfers in the UK? Here are the main transfer fees and charges you need to know about:

When sending an overseas transfer with First Direct, you’ll also need to check the exchange rate - as well as the international transfer fee you see upfront.

The bank uses its own standard exchange rate for converting currency, and this is likely to include a margin or mark-up on the mid-market exchange rate. This can potentially make the transfer a little more expensive for you.

You may be able to check this rate in online or mobile banking before you send your transfer, or you can contact First Direct to find out the latest rates.

Wise – A low-cost alternative to bank transfers

Looking for a secure, convenient and low-cost way to send large sums of money internationally? Take a look at the Wise account from the money services provider Wise. It's not a bank account but offers some similar features and your money is safeguarded.

With Wise, you can send large amount transfers worldwide to 140+ countries in 40+ currencies for low, transparent fees and mid-market exchange rates with no markup.

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**Investments in funds are never guaranteed and your capital can be at risk. In the UK, Interest and Stocks are provided by Wise Assets — this is the trading name of Wise Assets UK Ltd, a subsidiary of Wise. Wise Assets UK Ltd is authorised as an investment firm and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Our FCA number is 839689. We do not give investment advice, and you may be subject to pay tax. If you're not sure, seek qualified advice. You can find more information about the funds on our website.

Sources used:

Sources last checked on date: 28-Oct-2025