Virgin Money re-launch starts to show results
It's been a slow build up for Virgin Money since it re-launched its Australian business in 2009. But last year the company acquired 60,000 new customers and it says it is doing good business in all its segments.Virgin Money Australia lost A$5.3 million in 2010/11 and a further $9.2 million in 2011/12. The company sustained high costs investing in the launch of a car insurance product in July 2009, re-launching a credit card offer and launching a savings account, both in July 2010, as well as a life insurance product in January 2011.Virgin Money Australia's managing director, David Curneen said the company had plans for new product launches in all areas of its business this year.Curneen said Virgin Money had the fastest-growing credit card business in Australia last year and had a very successful travel insurance product launch.Growth in customer numbers has improved the company's revenue position. A media release issued yesterday said it had achieved a 40 per cent increase in earnings (a curious statement, given that there were no earnings last year).Curneen said the company's financial year-end was March 30 and he would not be talking about results ahead of that date.Virgin Money is commonly associated with its credit card business, but last year's accounts show that it makes most of its money from its investment products - superannuation and savings accounts. The accounts also show that its area of strongest growth is insurance.Curneen said the credit card business had picked up after the launch of a couple of rewards card.Curneen has been acting managing director since the departure of Matt Baxby last year. Yesterday he was confirmed in the position.