Brandwave

MBNA vs Virgin Money:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, MBNA had more branded searches than Virgin Money among credit cards in the United Kingdom. MBNA had about 110,000 branded searches, while Virgin Money had 9,900. MBNA made up 12.9% of all credit card searches we track, and Virgin Money accounted for 1.2%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about credit cards, Virgin Money appeared in one of the five answers and MBNA in none.

Among credit cards in the United Kingdom in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

MBNA, about 11 searches for every 1 for Virgin Money

MBNA 110K searchesVirgin Money 9.9K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Virgin Money, mentioned in 1 of 5 answers, MBNA in 0

Virgin Money in 1 of 5MBNA in 0 of 5

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Top credit cards in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Virgin Money was mentioned in one out of five: not in any of the three ChatGPT answers, but in one of the two Google AI Overviews. MBNA did not appear in any of the five answers.

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • Barclaycard3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • American Express1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Virgin Money1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Capital One0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • MBNA0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Tesco Bank0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Aqua0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Vanquis0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Zopa0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about credit cards

5 answers

  • Asked ChatGPT

    “Which credit card should I use in the UK?”

    1. 1American Express
    2. 2Barclaycard

  • Asked ChatGPT

    “What are the best credit cards in the UK?”

    1. 1Barclaycard

  • Asked ChatGPT

    “What's the best credit card in the UK for everyday spending?”

    1. 1Barclaycard

  • Searched Google, AI Overview

    “credit cards uk”

    1. Searched Google, AI Overview

      “business credit cards”

      1. 1Virgin Money

    Not named in any answer:

    Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in United Kingdom on October 19, 2026.

    Is MBNA or Virgin Money more popular in search?

    This chart shows how often people search Google for MBNA and Virgin Money by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all nine credit card brands we track, month by month, from searches in United Kingdom.

    MBNA and Virgin Money among credit cards in the United Kingdom, by month

    Share of searches by month for MBNA, Virgin Money. The figures are in the table below the chart.

    View monthly share of searches table
    MonthAmerican ExpressBarclaycardCapital OneMBNATesco BankAquaVanquisVirgin MoneyZopa
    Oct 202523.6%23.6%23.6%13%7.1%3.9%3.2%0.95%0.95%
    Nov 202520.3%24.9%24.9%13.6%7.5%4.1%2.7%1%1%
    Dec 202522.4%27.4%22.4%12.3%6.7%3.7%3%1.1%0.9%
    Jan 202623.5%23.5%23.5%12.9%7.1%3.9%3.2%1.2%1.2%
    Feb 202622.2%27.2%22.2%12.1%6.7%4.5%3%1.1%1.1%
    Mar 202620.2%24.7%24.7%13.6%7.4%4.1%3.3%0.99%0.99%
    Apr 202621%25.8%25.8%11.5%6.3%4.2%3.5%0.85%1%
    May 202621%25.7%25.7%11.5%6.3%5.2%2.8%0.85%0.85%
    Jun 202622.3%27.3%22.3%12.2%6.7%4.5%3%0.9%0.9%
    Jul 202622.3%27.3%22.3%12.2%6.7%4.5%3%0.9%0.9%
    Aug 202622.2%27.2%22.2%12.2%6.7%4.5%3%1.1%0.9%
    Sep 202623.5%23.5%23.5%12.9%7.1%4.7%2.6%1.2%0.95%

    How has the MBNA and Virgin Money comparison changed over the last 12 months?

    3 findings
    • MBNA was ahead of Virgin Money in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
    • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, MBNA’s share of searches among credit cards in the United Kingdom moved from 13% to 12.9%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 135K to 110K.
    • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Virgin Money’s share of searches among credit cards in the United Kingdom moved from 0.95% to 1.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 9.9K.

    How did search popularity change for United Kingdom credit cards in September 2026?

    1 change

    1. In September 2026, MBNA gained share of searches among credit cards in the United Kingdom, from 12.2% to 12.9%.

    How are branded searches counted?

    2 search terms

    Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using MBNA’s and Virgin Money’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.

    MBNA

    1 branded search term

    • mbna

    Virgin Money

    1 branded search term

    • virgin money credit card

    How the Brand Demand Index is measured

    Other head-to-heads among credit cards

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