Nationwide hit with fine after failing to flag Covid furlough fraud Banking Nationwide had been slapped with a £44m fine by the City watchdog for failures in its financial crime controls. The building society giant has been blasted by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) for missing opportunities to identify fraudulent Covid furlough payments. The FCA said one customer received 24 payments, totalling north of £27m, over 13 [...]
Watchdogs rip up rulebook for building societies in growth boost Banking British building societies are in line for a deregulation boost after UK watchdogs announced a joint raft of initiatives aiming to power up the sector. Mutuals – which, contrary to banks, are owned by their members – are set to land a significant growth tailwind following a fresh report from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) [...]
Reeves warned ‘undermining cash ISAs a serious mistake’ Investing Chancellor Rachel Reeves has been warned that “undermining” cash ISAs would be a “serious mistake” and could hike the cost of mortgages and make them harder to access. Skipton Building Society has joined the chorus of institutions voicing their concerns ahead of the Chancellor’s Mansion House speech next week where she is expected to announce a [...]
Rachel Reeves warned cash ISA reforms will hike mortgage costs July 7, 2025 Rachel Reeves’ plans to cut the cash ISA limit have been blasted by the bosses of Britain’s top building societies over fears they will hike borrowing costs. The Chancellor has been warned her proposals to slash savers’ annual cash ISA allowance from the existing tax-free threshold will drive up costs for homeowners and businesses. Concerns [...]
Rachel Reeves’ cash ISA plans would ‘choke mortgages’ July 3, 2025 Rachel Reeves’ plans to slash the tax-free cash ISA allowance “would be effectively choking mortgage availability” for those who need them the most, a building society’s CEO has said. Darlington Building Society was reacting to the news that the Chancellor is set to announce a lowering of the current £20,000 cap that savers are allowed [...]
Nationwide banks £2.3bn gain from Virgin Money takeover as profit tumbles November 27, 2024 Nationwide has bagged a £2.3bn gain from its acquisition of Virgin Money, setting up a windfall for members of Britain’s biggest building society.
Co-op Bank unveils £90m dividend ahead of Coventry sale November 26, 2024 The Co-operative Bank is to pay out £90m to investors after reporting lending growth in the third quarter, ahead of a £780m tie-up with Coventry Building Society.
Building societies demand a say on government’s industrial strategy October 23, 2024 A group of Britain’s biggest building societies and mutuals have demanded a seat on the council shaping the government’s industrial strategy as ministers prepare to unveil a team of executives to oversee the plans. In a letter to business secretary Jonathan Reynolds, seen by City AM, a group of four trade groups including the Association [...]
Nationwide completes Virgin Money takeover to create high street banking titan October 1, 2024 Nationwide has completed its £2.9bn takeover of Virgin Money in the UK's biggest banking merger since the financial crisis amid increasing consolidation among mid-sized lenders.
Bank of England mulls ‘further steps’ to boost City’s global competitiveness September 26, 2024 The UK's banking regulator is mulling "further steps" to boost the City's international competitiveness as one of its top brass hailed a "broadly welcoming" response to its softening of bank capital rules.