Convert a first direct bank statement to Excel
Convert a first direct statement PDF to Excel or CSV right in your browser — date, description, amount and balance are detected automatically, with a row-by-row balance check, and your statement is never uploaded. first direct statements use this layout: first direct (part of HSBC) uses the classic HSBC UK layout: Date, Payment type and details, Paid out, Paid in, and Balance — multiple entries on the same day often share one balance line and the date isn't reprinted for each row. Text-based PDFs downloaded from first direct online banking convert most accurately.
Drop your bank statement PDFs (multiple allowed) and StatementSift detects the date/description/amount/balance columns locally and reconciles row by row. Financial data is never uploaded or sent to any external AI. Text-based PDFs (from online banking) work best.
How we read a first direct statement
- Columns：first direct (part of HSBC) uses the classic HSBC UK layout: Date, Payment type and details, Paid out, Paid in, and Balance — multiple entries on the same day often share one balance line and the date isn't reprinted for each row.
- Date format：DD MMM YYYY
- Best source：Log in to first direct Online Banking or the app and download the official PDF from the Statements / Documents section for the chosen account and month — grab the text PDF, not a screenshot of the page or a scan.
Watch-outs for first direct statements
- first direct splits money in and out into two separate columns (withdrawals/debits and deposits/credits). The converter merges them into one signed amount so the balance check can run; double-check that a credit didn't get the wrong sign on any flagged row.
- Multi-line descriptions (a long merchant name wrapped onto two lines) are the most common cause of a shifted row — if a row doesn't reconcile, that's the first thing to check.
- Transactions that carry over a page break, and the opening/closing balance lines, are handled separately from regular rows; verify the first and last rows of each page after a multi-page statement.
How to convert a first direct statement
- 1Download your first direct statement as a PDF from online banking.
- 2Drop the PDF into the converter below — it parses locally.
- 3Review the detected columns and the balance check; verify any flagged rows.
- 4Export to Excel, CSV, or QuickBooks/OFX.
Frequently asked questions
No. The entire conversion — reading the PDF, detecting columns, the balance check and building the Excel file — runs locally in your browser. Your first direct statement is never uploaded or sent to any AI.
Log in to first direct Online Banking or the app and download the official PDF from the Statements / Documents section for the chosen account and month — grab the text PDF, not a screenshot of the page or a scan.
first direct text-based PDFs are in the sweet spot and convert accurately at the row level. Either way, verify key figures before use — the row-by-row balance reconciliation flags suspect rows for you.
Updated · StatementSift team