I'm a Virgin One customer (which I realise he sold off a while back to RBS) and haven't had any complaints thus far. Excellent customer service, very versatile and simple to use. It hasn't changed in 8 years. About the first to offer a reduction in mortgage rate to those who already own most of their home, which means they've been pretty cheap for the flexibility I get, and got telephone banking spot on too.

All in all I'd say his first foray into the mortgage market was a success.

your success-envy is showing

Read the Tom Bower book about not-such-a-nice-guy Branson. Or read a sample:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,,1664999,00.html

Sorry, charlie. You had me interested until you referenced the Grauniad.

It wasn't a criminal record tho. Seems he just can't get out of plastic.

RBS only own the one account. They don't own the rest of Virgin Money, hence why it's now known as 'the one account', rather than 'the virgin one account'.

I've had a credit card with them and I found them far too pally and ameturish. I object to a bank sending me letters in comic sans (well, it was almost) it doesn't make me feel secure about my cash, or theoretical cash, at least.

He's good at PR using his do-goody or daring stunts to improve the brand before he sells whichever pet project on and pockets the cash. The problems as Northern Rock while largely of their own making have been exacerbated by the banks looking for an easy target to carpetbag but the Northern Rock Foundation (remember this was a building society which had obligations to the savers and lenders who owned it) seems to be a stumbling block for any asset stripper looking for synergies (ie. outsource or delocalise as much as possible to reduce the wage bill and pocket the difference). Branson can step in as saviour to add to his halo and sell the thing on when markets have stabilised.

Private Eye often

mention Branson's financial accumen. Keeps his money offshore and files UK returns late (alledgedly)

Just noticed that I misread your post Virgin one account holding An-Co.

I really hope that Branson doesn't get NR as I can't see them doing anything like as much charity work if he does. They may have sold out to become a bank, but they give bastard loads of money to good causes.