|
Building Societies
UK Bank Accounts
📅 April 2026
✍️ Chandraketu Tripathi
⏱ 8 min read
Yorkshire Bank no longer exists as a standalone brand — but if you held a Yorkshire Bank account, your money moved to Virgin Money in 2019 and is now part of the Nationwide Building Society group following the 2024 acquisition. This guide explains what happened, what it means for your account, and what alternatives exist in 2026. 1859 Year Yorkshire Bank was founded 2019 Brand merged into Virgin Money £85k FSCS protection per person 121873 FCA firm reference (Clydesdale Bank PLC) What Happened to Yorkshire Bank?Yorkshire Bank was a trading name of Clydesdale Bank PLC, itself a subsidiary of National Australia Bank. In 2016, Clydesdale Bank and Yorkshire Bank were demerged from NAB and floated on the London Stock Exchange as CYBG PLC. In 2018, CYBG acquired Virgin Money and in 2019 rebranded all Clydesdale and Yorkshire Bank branches and products under the Virgin Money name. The Yorkshire Bank brand was retired. In January 2024, Nationwide Building Society completed its acquisition of Virgin Money UK PLC. Existing Virgin Money customers — including former Yorkshire Bank customers — remain with Virgin Money, which continues to operate under its own brand as a subsidiary of Nationwide. Accounts, sort codes, and account numbers have not changed as a result of the Nationwide acquisition. Regulatory status: The legal entity behind what was Yorkshire Bank is Clydesdale Bank PLC (FCA firm reference 121873), now trading as Virgin Money. It holds a full banking licence and is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
FSCS Protection: What You Need to KnowBecause Virgin Money (formerly Yorkshire Bank, Clydesdale Bank PLC) and Nationwide are now under common ownership, the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) treats deposits across both as held with a single institution for the purpose of the £85,000 protection limit (£170,000 for joint accounts). Important: If you hold deposits with both Nationwide and Virgin Money, your combined FSCS cover is £85,000, not £85,000 per institution. Verify your total exposure at fscs.org.uk.
Former Yorkshire Bank Personal Accounts in 2026The personal current accounts, savings accounts and mortgages that were originally Yorkshire Bank products were converted to Virgin Money equivalents. Customers did not need to take any action at the time of rebrand. Key Virgin Money personal products available in 2026 include: Virgin Money M Plus Current Account
The flagship personal current account from the successor brand
Virgin Money Defined Access E-Saver
Easy-access savings — rates change frequently; check virginmoney.com for current AER
Former Yorkshire Bank Business Accounts in 2026Yorkshire Bank had a substantial small-business banking offering. These products were rebranded to Virgin Money Business accounts in 2019. As of 2026, Virgin Money continues to serve business customers, though the Nationwide acquisition has led to some rationalisation of the product range. Business customers are advised to check virginmoney.com for current product availability and fees. Virgin Money Business Current Account
Available to sole traders, partnerships and limited companies
Switching Away from Virgin Money (Former Yorkshire Bank)If you held a Yorkshire Bank account and now wish to move to a different provider, the Current Account Switch Service (CASS) makes this straightforward. CASS is operated by Pay.UK and is available at participating banks and building societies. The switch takes seven working days and all payments — direct debits, standing orders, and incoming credits — transfer automatically. Your old account is redirected for at least 36 months under the Switch Guarantee. How to switch: Open your new account, then ask the new bank to initiate a CASS switch. You do not need to contact Virgin Money directly. Full details at currentaccountswitch.co.uk.
Complaints and RedressIf you have an unresolved complaint about a former Yorkshire Bank product now held with Virgin Money, you should first contact Virgin Money's formal complaints team. If the complaint is not resolved within eight weeks, or you are not satisfied with the outcome, you can escalate to the Financial Ombudsman Service free of charge. The FOS can be reached at financial-ombudsman.org.uk.
Yorkshire Bank in 2026 — Key FactsBrand statusRetired 2019 — now Virgin Money
Legal entityClydesdale Bank PLC (FCA ref 121873)
OwnerNationwide Building Society
FSCS limit£85,000 combined with Nationwide
Best forExisting customers who need continuity
Switching outUse CASS — seven working days
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Always verify rates with official sources before making any financial decision.
Disclaimer: This article is editorial information, not financial advice. Rates, fees, and eligibility criteria change. Always verify the latest figures directly with the provider and the FCA Register before making a decision. Kaeltripton is not a regulated financial adviser. Where you act on this information, you do so at your own risk. Last reviewed: April 2026.
Frequently Asked QuestionsIs Yorkshire Bank still open?
No. Yorkshire Bank was retired as a brand in 2019 when Clydesdale Bank and Yorkshire Bank were rebranded as Virgin Money. Existing accounts transferred automatically and continue with Virgin Money.
Who owns Yorkshire Bank now?
The legal entity, Clydesdale Bank PLC (which traded as Yorkshire Bank), is now part of the Nationwide Building Society group following Nationwide's acquisition of Virgin Money UK PLC in January 2024.
Is my former Yorkshire Bank money still protected by FSCS?
Yes, but the £85,000 FSCS limit is now shared between your Virgin Money and Nationwide balances. If you hold deposits at both institutions, ensure the combined total does not exceed £85,000 to remain fully protected.
Can I still use my old Yorkshire Bank sort code and account number?
Yes. Account numbers and sort codes were retained through the rebrand. Your existing direct debits and payment references continue to work unchanged.
How do I close my former Yorkshire Bank account?
Contact Virgin Money directly via their app, website or telephone service. Alternatively, initiate a CASS switch to a new bank, which will close the old account automatically on completion.
Related guides on KaeltriptonSources: FCA Register (firm reference 121873 — Clydesdale Bank PLC); FSCS.org.uk; Financial Ombudsman Service; CurrentAccountSwitch.co.uk (Pay.UK); virginmoney.com; nationwide.co.uk; gov.uk; bankofengland.co.uk. Last reviewed: April 2026. Rates and product details are subject to change. Always verify with the provider before applying. |
Yorkshire Bank Accounts 2026: Personal and BusinessYorkshire Bank Accounts 2026: Personal and Business. Step-by-step using primary sources from gov.uk, FCA and the provider. Independent UK guide. 
Advertisement
Advertisement
Editorial Disclaimer The content on Kaeltripton.com is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, tax, legal or regulatory advice. Kaeltripton.com is not authorised or regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and is not a financial adviser, mortgage broker, insurance intermediary or investment firm. Nothing on this site should be construed as a personal recommendation. Rates, figures and product details are indicative only, subject to change without notice, and should always be verified directly with the relevant provider, HMRC, the FCA register, the Bank of England, Ofgem or other appropriate authority before any financial decision is made. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. If you require regulated financial advice, please consult a qualified adviser authorised by the FCA. |
|
