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 puts cash ISA reform on ice ahead of Mansion House speech Politics Rachel Reeves is expected to backtrack on plans to cut the tax-free allowance for cash ISAs, amid growing criticisms and building societies reporting a jump in new accounts being set up. “Differing views” from within government and a longer consultation time with the financial sector have contributed to the pause in the policy, according to [...]
Reeves warned ‘undermining cash ISAs a serious mistake’ July 9, 2025 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 posts bumper year after stamp duty rush May 29, 2025 Nationwide Building Society bolstered its takings in the 12 months to March 31 2025, after a rush to beat the stamp duty deadline led to a surge in first-time buyers. The firm said it served more first-time buyers than any other lender in the UK, with 120,000 purchasing their first home. This was a significant leap from [...]
Principality Building Society’s profit nearly halves as lower rates offset mortgage boost August 6, 2024 Principality Building Society, the largest mutual lender in Wales, has seen its profit nearly cut in half as mortgage price wars and looming interest rate cuts dragged on its lending margins.
Virgin Money’s largest investor slams board for £2.9bn Nationwide deal May 12, 2024 Virgin Money's largest independent investor has slammed the bank's board for accepting a bid from Nationwide, saying it is "likely to sell shareholders very short".
Nationwide’s Virgin Money bid heralds new era for mutuals’ challenge to big banks March 18, 2024 Nationwide, the world's largest building society, is gearing up for the UK's biggest banking tie-up since the financial crisis as it looks to finalise a £2.9bn takeover deal for high street rival Virgin Money in the coming weeks.