Jayne-Anne Gadhia Virgin Money is
still working on its overall proposition and is considering
different account pricing structures, its chief executive
Jayne-Anne Gadhia told RBI.

Gadhia stuck by her comments earlier in the year that there is
no such thing as ‘free’ banking.

“‘Free’ banking, of course, is not free. ‘Free’ banking for good
customers is subsidised by ‘insufficient funds’ charges, which are
generally paid by customers who are less affluent or less
well-informed,” she said.

 

She said a “rational” pricing structure with
lower insufficient funds charges and appropriate fees for current
account services is fairer and would make it easier for customers
to compare their likely charges. 

In March, Virgin said each account will cost
less than £5 ($7.7) per month – the first UK bank to charge a
compulsory monthly fee, regardless of how much customers deposit in
the account.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

Virgin confirmed it is targeting a 70-branch
network over the next 5 years, which will be grown
organically.   

But in a contradiction of terms, Gadhia said
Virgin is looking to grow its business “significantly” through
acquisitions to provide competition in UK
banking. 

A final decision has not been made on the name
for the Virgin Money bank, due to launch in 2011 [link to ‘Virgin
Bank’ launch “on track” for 2011].  But it is likely to be
rebranded as Virgin Bank. 

As well as current accounts the new bank will
offer savings products and mortgages to complement the existing
product range – credit cards, general insurance, ISAs, unit trusts
and pensions.

Virgin already offers a savings account to
around 2.5m customers in the UK.