Tide vs Virgin Money: what each publishes
As of October 7, 2026
The published rules of Tide and Virgin Money, side by side: which industries each excludes or accepts, where owners must live, which countries each names, the licence each holds and the fees each publishes. Each answer links to the page that quotes the rule with the date we read it.
This is not a ranking, and the two names are in alphabetical order. Either provider may still decline your company because of its activity, where it is registered, where its owners live or which licence it holds. The free check applies the rules of every provider in our base to your answers.
Policy by industry
| Industry | Tide | Virgin Money |
|---|---|---|
| Crypto | No | No published rule |
| iGaming | No | No published rule |
| Adult | With conditions | No published rule |
| Unlicensed financial services | No | No |
| AI and SaaS | No published rule | No published rule |
| Forex and CFD | No published rule | No published rule |
| Marketplace | No published rule | No published rule |
Virgin MoneyLicence
| Licensee | Tide | Virgin Money |
|---|---|---|
| Licensee | Tide Platform Ltd · EMI authorised by the FCA (FRN 900843) · accounts provided by ClearBank Ltd (UK bank, FRN 754568) | Nationwide Building Society (trading as Virgin Money) · building society authorised by the PRA and regulated by the FCA and the PRA (FRN 106078) |
| Regulator | FCA · | FCA / PRA · |
Where owners must live
Tide
No published rule
Virgin Money
At least one of the main parties (owner/partner/director) must also be a UK resident.
Rules about countries
Tide
No published rule
Virgin Money
No published rule
Fees
Tide
| Plan | Account opening | Monthly | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | Not stated | GBP 0 a month ('No plan fee') | · Source |
| Smart | Not stated | GBP 12.49 a month, or GBP 99.99 a year paid annually; VAT not charged ("We won't charge you VAT on your paid plan") | · Source |
| Pro | Not stated | GBP 27.49 a month, or GBP 219.99 a year paid annually; VAT not charged ("We won't charge you VAT on your paid plan") | · Source |
| Max | Not stated | GBP 69.99 a month, or GBP 559.92 a year paid annually; VAT not charged ("We won't charge you VAT on your paid plan") | · Source |
Virgin Money
| Plan | Account opening | Monthly | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| M Account for Business (turnover under £1m) | Not stated | GBP 0 monthly account fee; free day-to-day app and online banking; cash withdrawals, CHAPS and international payments are charged under the tariff guide | · Source |
| Business Current Account (turnover under £6.5m) | Not stated | None for the first 25 months (free day-to-day banking offer for new businesses or businesses new to Virgin Money), then GBP 6.50 a month | · Source |