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Virgin Money: Essential Current Account reviews

Name: Essential Current Account
Rating: 3.06 (142 reviews)

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3.05

Based on 142 reviews, last reviewed 28th Jan 2026

No new 5 star reviews

in the past 90 days

No new 1 star reviews

in the past 90 days

38%

13%

37%

Latest highest rating:

4

Branch has a car park, and parking is normally possi... Branch has a car park, and parking is normally possible. Internal cash machines usually operational and available. Queue at tellers desk normally arou... Read more Reviewed on: 28th January 2026

Latest lowest rating:

1

Completely useless, l have been on the phone for ove... Completely useless, l have been on the phone for over two hours no response Reviewed on: 4th June 2024

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About this product

The Virgin Money Essential Current Account is no longer available to new customers.

Virgin Money reviews help you find out what it’s really like to be a customer. If you’ve used Virgin Money before, you can also leave a review and share your experience.

Virgin Money Essential Current Account reviews (142)

Review of the Virgin Money, Essential Current Account:

Just godawful.

Just godawful. Consistently on hold for at least 40 mins. One alert where they asked me to contact them. After over an hour on hold, I gave up and tried another number. They looked at the account and said there was nothing wrong - although they verified that the alert had indeed come from them. Then online account was blocked - again, spent ages on hold on a Sunday when their hours were showing as open. But then it had to be referred to another department and they weren't open until Monday. So tried again on Monday and got everything resolved in about 5 mins - but was on hold for 45 mins to get there. So many problems with their new system. I really hope they get this sorted soon because it's a miserable experience having to deal with their very inaccessible customer support and appalling wait times. Reviewed on: 15th August 2022

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

Some interest is better than none

a current account paying 0.65% is a bit better than a whole load of accounts out there that rely on people's reluctance to change Reviewed on: 19th July 2017

Reply from Virgin Money Thanks for getting in touch John, happy to hear your feedback! You know where we are if you need help with anything. Thanks, Jane Response date: 20th July 2017

Personal friendly & welcoming staff

When you walk into a Virgin bank the welcomimg staff treat you in a special personal way as if you are really important people to them and not just a number . Reviewed on: 4th February 2017

Good service

Virgin money service is very good however online services can be a bit tricky generally efficient service. Reviewed on: 16th August 2015

MUST HAVE

The best free current account on the market today hands down. Can't find a well run account with good perks for free these days. I highly recommend. Reviewed on: 3rd August 2015

Service is top

Doesn't offer me the best interest rates etc, but I like the service. It's also quite a cool brand, which I like :-) Reviewed on: 5th November 2014

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