Clydesdale Bank Name To Be Rebranded To Virgin Money

19th June 2019

Savers with Virgin Money, Yorkshire Bank and Clydesdale Bank face changes to their compensation limits later this year.

Clydesdale and Yorkshire Bank Group (CYBG) bought Virgin Money last year to create the UK's sixth largest bank.

It plans to change the name to the better-known Virgin Money brand, with its branches due to be renamed by October 2021.

Under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) savers are guaranteed to get the first £85,000 of their savings back (£170,000 for joint accounts) in the unlikely event their bank or building society collapses.

If you have multiple accounts with these banks you need to check your deposits do not exceed the safety level of £85,000 in total.

Virgin Money becomes CYBG's sole brand as it lays out plans to disrupt the status quo with new products, as well as updated financial, customer service and market share targets

First full Virgin Money personal current account launching in late 2019; aiming for c.40% increase in market-share

First ever Virgin Money business current account launching by summer 2020 as part of new Virgin Money branded SME business bank; aiming for c.40% increase in market-share

New technology investment in mortgages

Targeting top three position in CMA service quality ranking for personal and business customers

CYBG PLC name to change to Virgin Money UK PLC in late 2019 - entire business to be using Virgin Money brand by end of 2021

Reaffirming FY 2019 guidance of 165-170bps NIM and less than £950m underlying costs

Targeting an additional £50m of annual net cost savings on top of existing £150m annual savings from Virgin Money transaction - giving £200m total annual net cost savings by FY 2022

CYBG is setting out its refreshed medium-term strategy at its Capital Markets Day, presenting the first strategic update on the new combined business following last year's Virgin Money acquisition.

Plans include rebranding Clydesdale and Yorkshire Bank and digital brand B over the next two years to Virgin Money, as well as introducing new Virgin Money branded personal and business current accounts.

David Duffy, CEO, said: "Banking is changing at an unprecedented rate. Consumers are using new technology in every part of their lives. With amazing customer experiences available in other industries, they are rightly demanding so much more from their banks.

"We have a clear ambition to disrupt the status quo with the new Virgin Money. The new Group combines the iconic Virgin brand, with its distinctive and brilliant customer experience, with CYBG's technology, product expertise and know-how. We believe we have the winning formula that will create a new force in consumer and business banking.

"Our new financial targets will deliver a significantly more efficient and profitable business with strong and sustainable returns for our shareholders. Despite the ongoing Brexit headwinds and continued competitive pressures, the strength of the combination gives us every confidence we will deliver on our targets."

New Virgin Money current account, launching in late 2019 - with Virgin-focussed reward proposition in development

A full-service current account with leading digital capabilities and money management tools using CYBG's award-winning B technology

Current account to evolve and include Virgin-focussed rewards programme with unique offers and personalised benefits only available to Virgin Money customers

Targeting top three position in CMA service quality ranking for personal customers

Aim to increase personal current account market share from c.2.5% to c.3.5%

New Virgin Money branded business bank - launching by summer 2020

Virgin Money to launch new business current account in first half of 2020 with leading online and mobile services for businesses, including digital account opening, money management tools, new fully automated lending and other services such as accountancy and tax management

Business banking available nationally, including in Virgin Money stores for the first time, significantly increasing the number of businesses that can be served

Digital services backed by expert advice available online, by phone, in branch - with network of over 300 Relationship Managers in 40 business banking centres supporting small and medium sized customers

Targeting top three position in CMA service quality ranking for business customers

Aim to increase business current account market share from c.3.5% to c.5%

Significant technology investment to create a better home buying experience

Mortgage customers – and brokers – to benefit from significant investment in technology across all mortgage channels:

new online and mobile Mortgage Hub for consumers, including new Artificial Intelligence mortgage assistant

leveraging APIs and wider technology capabilities to enhance broker platform and extend reach to thousands of new broker partners

Two new branded offerings for broker market – Virgin Money Everyday for mainstream lending and Virgin Money Expert for more complex lending offers – combining the strengths of both Virgin Money and CYBG in the mortgage market

Aim to maintain c.4% mortgage market share

Anticipated rebranding timetable for customers

Today's announcement also confirms the Bank’s planned timetable for re-branding Clydesdale and Yorkshire Bank and digital brand B to Virgin Money.

The rebrand of the B digital bank to Virgin Money will begin in 2019, to complete in first half of 2020. This includes the rebranding of B’s flagship stores to Virgin Money1. Yorkshire Bank will begin rebrand changes in late 2019 and Clydesdale Bank will begin in the second half of 2020. All Clydesdale and Yorkshire Bank rebranding is expected to be complete by the end of 2021.

The rebranding timetable is subject to the Bank receiving its FSMA Part VII approval enabling it to move to a single banking licence – this is expected to be achieved in October 2019.

In addition to this customer-related rebranding, the name of the CYBG holding company will change from CYBG to Virgin Money UK PLC in late 2019.

Speaking about the rebrand plans, David Duffy added "Our plan for the new Virgin Money means that for the first time there will be a major disruptor that can serve the whole of the UK, combining the very best technology with a great personal service and an absolute focus on being a customer champion. We’re looking to reinvent the role a bank plays in people’s lives.

"Clydesdale and Yorkshire Bank have been serving customers in Scotland and the North of England for over 175 years. Both brands are a by-word for reliability and trust and we understand the emotional attachment customers and local communities have towards them.

“The decision to retire brand names with such long and proud histories is not an easy one. Marrying the values and expertise of these heritage brands with the Virgin Money brand will allow us to realise efficiencies and grow our business throughout the UK."

Financial targets

Today’s announcement also sets out medium-term growth and financial targets to FY 2022, including:

Above market lending growth

High single digit growth2 in Personal and Business current accounts and linked savings balances

Reconfirmed annual £150m integration synergies from Virgin Money transaction by the end of FY 2022

Increased costs savings – c.£50m additional annual savings from further transformation and digitisation savings by the end of FY 2022 – giving £200m total annual savings by FY 2022

Total cost base reducing from <£950m in FY 2019 to <£780m by FY 2022, delivering a cost: income ratio in the mid 40%s by FY 2022

CET1 ratio of c.13%

Statutory Return on Tangible Equity (RoTE) of at least 12% by FY 2022

Progressive and sustainable ordinary dividends – c.50% pay-out ratio over time

1B Works in Manchester, Studio B in London and B Birmingham

2Compound Annual Growth Rate

The Clydesdale Bank branchin Wick, Caithness is still open. The Clydesdale Bank in Thurso, Caithness closed 23rd May 2017.

PHOTO

Clydesdale Bank, Bridge Street, Wick, Caithness, Scotland.