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Virgin Money: Essential current account (discontinued) reviews

Name: Essential current account (discontinued)
Rating: 3.76 (146 reviews)

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3.76

Based on 146 reviews, last reviewed 25th Apr 2026

300% increase in 5 star reviews

in the past 90 days

100% increase in 1 star reviews

in the past 90 days

39%

12%

37%

Latest highest rating:

5

Virgin Money 'M' current & saver accounts Needed a current account with no overdraft facility, due to tight budgets on a low income. Virgin Money were more than happy to oblige with their 'M' ... Read more Reviewed on: 16th April 2026

Latest lowest rating:

1

I am extremely dissatisfied with my experience with... I am extremely dissatisfied with my experience with Virgin Money regarding a recent transaction. The handling of my funds was unexpected and caused se... Read more Reviewed on: 25th April 2026

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About this product

Virgin Money stopped selling the Essential current account in 2015.

Review Virgin Money: Essential current account (discontinued) now

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Virgin Money Essential current account (discontinued) reviews (146)

Pioneering banking

Very friendly, some of the best rates, great lounge facilities. Reviewed on: 16th November 2017

Reply from Virgin Money Great to know you're making good use of our Lounges, Mitchell! You can find other Virgin Money benefits here; https://uk.virginmoney.com/virgin/service/offers-and-prizes/. Thanks, Jane Response date: 16th November 2017

keeping it simple

helpful people at virgin help me keep my banking life simple Reviewed on: 16th November 2017

Reply from Virgin Money Happy to hear you're pleased with your Current Account, Peter! You know where to find us if there's anything we can help with. Thanks, Jane Response date: 16th November 2017

Doing what a bank should do.

When our previous building society decided to stop current accounts we had a check on what was available and choose Virgin Money. We should have changed to them years ago. The help they gave changing accounts was excellent and the support and rewards are great as well. Use the Virgin Lounge is the icing on the cake. Reviewed on: 16th November 2017

Honestly Honourable Account

From setting up the account (in the executive yet friendly atmosphere of their branch) to making debit payments without charge abroad, i have never enjoyed a better experience with my bank and account. Reviewed on: 16th November 2017

Excellent service!!!

I had a very difficult time losing my job and then losing my father. Times were tough, I needed to reorganise my debt and and move out of my home. Virgin Money was the one bank that was there for me, offering a basic account to help me get back on my feet. The branch staff in Cardiff could not have been more understanding and helpful! Things are now getting better in my personal life. I will be launching my own business shortly. I am so happy with how things have evolved over the last 12 months and I can honestly say that without the support from Virgin Money, I wouldn't be in the position I am now to move forward and live my life again. Thanks Virgin Money! Reviewed on: 16th November 2017

Personal F2F service

I’m so happy with the ability to walk into my local branch and have anything solved through F2F discussion in minutes. The added bonus is the relaxing Haymarket lounge when I need to stop off in the west end and check my emails. Reviewed on: 16th November 2017

Outstanding

Awesome staff. Brilliant support. They go the extra mile to help customers. They have a ‘nothing is too much trouble ‘ attitude which runs through the organisation like a stick of rock. I am also pleased to see their charity this year is supporting mental health. All in all a fab place to bank. Thank you to all the staff Reviewed on: 16th November 2017

The Best Bank Account in UK

A simple Zero-Cost account for everyone to be used everyday. With no banking charges at all, a free current account that offers Direct Debits, free card transactions in Europe and free banking , what more could you ask for? I Love and respect Virgin Money Bank. Thank You Virgin, The Best doesn’t cost Anything. Reviewed on: 15th November 2017

A bank that doesn't treat you like a cash cow.

I have switched my current account earlier this year: this was due to Norwich & Peterborough's decision to end all current accounts, as well as closing several branches...Don't you just love post mergers? Any way I had dipped into the red for a day; it was only £20 or so. When I went into the branch, they said that they don't charge for going overdrawn like that. Yay! A bank that shows that compound debt can and should be avoided at all costs. Three cheers for Virgin!!! Reviewed on: 9th November 2017

Reply from Virgin Money Thanks for your feedback Peter, glad we were able to help! Thanks, Jane Response date: 9th November 2017

Shocking effort on their online banking facility

I switched to the Essential Account earlier this year. No complaints about the customer service but the online banking facility is so dated. I cannot set up any standing orders or even perform a basic one off money transfer, family and friends have also had difficulty in paying money in with a £25 charge to use faster payment?? Having been used to my previous banks online banking app on which I could do absolutley anything and everything and even make payments to my phone contacts instantly I am now desperate to move my account, I don't have the time nor inclination to keep going into the branch in my work lunch hour to do the most basic of transactions. Additionally on a number of occasions my request to withdraw cash at an ATM has been declined for no apparent reason, leaving me without cash and concerned about what has happened to my account balance only to check later and find out there is plenty of money available?! I even had this happen in a garage with contactless, so we tried the pin entry method but no it was declined so I ran outside to the ATM to check balance and had to withdraw the cash as the account had more than enough in balance...this is absolutely inconvenient and quite embarrassing!!!! Reviewed on: 17th September 2017

Reply from Virgin Money Thanks for your feedback Stacey! We'll be sure to pass this onto the relevant teams for you. Just drop us another message if you have any further questions! Thanks, Jane Response date: 18th September 2017

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