The Beta Lab scheme, announced as first direct celebrates its 21st birthday, will give customers and members of the public a chance to have their say on how new products and services are developed, and the opportunity to give feedback prior to launch.

The scheme, which will go live later this year, will be carried out primarily online. It will be the only project of its kind to be trialled by a bank in the UK, says first direct.

Paul Say, head of marketing at first direct, comments: "For 21 years, first direct has pioneered innovative communication with its customers. The launch of Beta Lab is the next step on our customer relationship journey."

The Beta Labs initiative follows the launch earlier this year of Talking Points, a public online forum for customer feedback.