We value friendship and reward loyalty
That’s why if you’re a Nationwide member* and you recommend a current account to a friend, you’ll both get £100 when they switch.
In the late 19th Century, life was relatively simple. Banking products and services were available to the wealthy, while the working classes found it hard to get credit and find secure, comfortable, and long-term housing. The idea of a Mutual Society that enabled ordinary, working class people to save and borrow money for land and materials with which to build their own homes was ideal. This was a solution built first and foremost on the needs of the people.
Nationwide’s origins lie in the Provident Union Building Society (Wiltshire, 1846), the Northampton Town & County Freehold Land Society (Northampton 1848), and within the co-operative movement in London (1884). Following numerous mergers – most importantly the merger with Anglia Building Society in 1987 and the Portman Building Society in 2007, Nationwide is the now the world’s largest mutual financial institution, the UK’s second largest mortgage provider, and one of the UK’s largest savings providers. We have a heritage, culture and ethos that remain unique, and of course, built on the solid foundation of mutuality.
Life has changed quite drastically since the late 19th Century, but despite the increasingly complex regulatory environment and the recent financial crises, at Nationwide we have remained solid, stable and dependable – committed to doing the right thing by our members, and faithful to our mutual heritage.
1846: The Provident Union Building Society is founded in Ramsbury, Wiltshire.
1848: The Northampton Town and County Freehold Land Society is founded.
1884: The Southern Co-operative Permanent Building Society opens.
1967: The Northampton Town and County merges with Leicestershire Building
Society to form Anglia Building Society.
1970: The Co-operative Permanent Building Society changes its name to
Nationwide Building Society.
1987: Nationwide merges with Anglia to become Nationwide Anglia, and the FlexAccount is launched – the first full service current account to pay interest.
1991: The brand’s name is shortened to Nationwide.
1997: Nationwide launches the UK’s first retail internet banking service.
2007: Nationwide merges with the Portman Building Society.
2008: Nationwide merges with Derbyshire and Cheshire Building Societies, and acquires the Dunfermline Building Society the following year.
2011: Nationwide launches its ‘On your side’ brand promise.
2012: Nationwide launches its first mobile banking platform and its FlexDirect current account.
2013: Nationwide launches FlexPlus – its first premium packaged current account, and wins the ‘Your Money Award’ 2013 for best online banking provider.
2014: Nationwide wins Best Overall Online Provider, Best Online Current Account Provider, Best Online Credit Card Provider in the Your Money Direct Awards 2014.
Building Societies that Nationwide have taken over or merged with:
AlbanyAlbion Permanent BenefitAmalgamated GeneralAmersham District PermanentAngliaAnglia Hastings & ThanetAscot & District 838th Starr BowkettAshford MutualBarnstapleBarnstaple & North DevonBerkhamsted DistrictBerks & Bucks Permanent Mutual BenefitBerkshireBidefordBirmingham EbenezerBlaby Neighbourhood Permanent BenefitBognor MutualBournemouth & ChristchurchBournemouth BenefitBournemouth Hants & DorsetBournemouth Working Men’s PermanentBrentwoodBrighton & ShorehamBrighton & Southern CountiesBritish Co-operativeBromleyBromley & South Eastern Permanent InvestmentChancery PermanentChard & District MutualChelsea District Mutual BenefitCheshire Building SocietyChristchurch & BournemouthChurch of EnglandChurch Of England Temperance & General PermanentCitizens PermanentCitizens RegencyCity MutualCity of Peterborough Permanent Benefit City TerminusClapham PerseveranceColeraine Co-operative PermanentCornwallCountryCourt Permanent BenefitCranbrook District MutualCrewkerne & District PermanentDarwen & District PermanentDerbyshire Building SocietyDover Permanent BenefitDunfermline Building SocietyEffra MutualEmpire BenefitEsherExeter BenefitFinsbury GeneralGillingham Kent Investment Permanent BenefitGoldhawkGoldhawk Mutual BenefitGreat TorringtonGreenwichGrimsbyGrimsby & Cleethorpes Permanent BenefitGrimsby & North LincolnshireGrimsby & North Lincolnshire PermanentHastings & East SussexHastings & ThanetHastings PermanentHeraldHinckley & LeicestershireHinckley South Leicestershire Permanent BenefitHollowayHolloway & City TerminusHome CountiesInstituteIsle of ThanetKensington PermanentKensington Permanent BenefitKent CountyKilburnKings Cross & Pentonville PermanentKingscliffeKingstonKingswayLake District PermanentLambethLeicestershireLombardia Permanent BenefitLondon & MidlandLondon & South of EnglandLondon GoldhawkLondon InvestmentMaidenheadMaidenhead & BerkshireMarlboroughMerthyr & Dowlais Permanent BenefitMetropolitanMiddlesexMiddlesex MutualNationwide Anglia Building SocietyNationwide Building SocietyNineteenth CenturyNorth Wilts EquitableNorth Wilts RidgewayNorthampton & MidlandsNorthampton Town & CountyNorthampton Town & County BenefitNorthampton Town & County Freehold Land SocietyNorthamptonshire ForestersOakleafOre PermanentOrpingtonPaddingtonPeckham PermanentPentonville & General Permanent BenefitPerpetual InvestmentPiccadilly PermanentPortmanPortman Wessex RamsburyRamsgate Cinque Port Permanent BenefitRegencyRegency & West of EnglandReliantRichmond MutualRidgewayRock (Llanelly) PermanentRoyal BenefitScottish AmicableSeaford & District MutualSevenoaks District MutualSheerness & GillinghamSlough & Eton BenefitSouth of EnglandSouth West MiddxSouth West Middx Mutual BenefitSouth WesternSouthampton & South HantsSouthern Co-operative PermanentSt. JamesSt. Martins le GrandSt. PancrasStaffordshireStockwell Permanent ReddishSussex MutualSwanage & Isle of PurbeckTemple BarThames EstuaryTunbridge Wells PermanentTwickenham Twickenham, Teddington & DistrictUckfield Permanent BenefitUlverston Temperance PermanentUnited Friends Perpetual BenefitWallingford District PermanentWandsworthWatford & West Herts Permanent BenefitWellingborough Town District Permanent BenefitWessexWest HoveWest LancashireWest London InvestmentWest of EnglandWestern CountiesWestern Equity Permanent Mutual BenefitWestminsterWhitehallWigan PermanentWillesdenWilts & Western BenefitWinchester City & District MutualWindsor & EtonWoburn Sands Permanent BenefitWolverton (Bucks) Permanent BenefitWorcester Housing & Savings Society
We’re a mutual, which means we’re owned by and run for the benefit of our members. Because of the way we’re run, we’re free to reinvest more of our profits into improving products and services for you like suivi recommandé.
Last financial year alone, we were able to pay back half a billion pounds to members through better value current accounts, mortgages and savings accounts. We plan to do even more.
What makes me a member?
You’re a member when you have a current account, mortgage or savings account with us.
The following products do not carry membership rights: corporate deposit accounts, personal loans, credit cards, insurance products and products offered by subsidiaries of the Society such as The Mortgage Works (UK) plc.
You now need to be a member to choose a credit card, loan, investment or insurance product from us. If you already have one of these products but you’re not a member, you can use it as normal and keep it until you close it.
Rewarding our members
We reward our members with:
Up to £500 a year for recommending us to your friends
Terms and conditions apply
Recommend a friend- Up to £500 a year for recommending us to your friends
A tiered interest rate on our Loyalty Saver based on your length of membership with us
Loyalty Saver account- A tiered interest rate on our Loyalty Saver based on your length of membership with us
Cashback offers through Simply Rewards
More about Simply Rewards- Cashback offers through Simply Rewards
Access to personal loans, credit cards, home insurance, protection and investment products
View our product range- Access to personal loans, credit cards, home insurance, protection and investment products
Flexclusive products
when your main current account is with us
Flexclusive product offers- Flexclusive products
Giving back

We want to do our best for our members - and a big part of that is supporting the communities in which they live and work.
Whether that’s the millions we invest in local causes, the thousands of hours our employees volunteer, or the housing projects we support; we’re dedicated to building society, nationwide.
Learn more about our social investment plans
Giving you a voice
When our members talk, we listen. Your ideas and feedback have shaped us - from bringing you a greater choice of current accounts to improving our digital banking services.
Pop along to one of our TalkBack sessions held across the country. Or if you’re over 18 and meet certain criteria, you can vote at our Annual General Meeting. Tell us what you think of our products and services, and help us do even better - for everyone.
Get involved in TalkBack sessions
Learn more about the AGM
Make a suggestion
Questions about membership
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What’s a mutual?- select to show or hide related content.
What makes me a member?- select to show or hide related content.
What do I get for being a member?- select to show or hide related content.
What are my rights as a member?- select to show or hide related content.
How are the Society’s Directors elected?- select to show or hide related content.
Does being a member guarantee I’ll be accepted when I apply for a new product?- select to show or hide related content.
I’m applying for a current account, mortgage or savings account. Can I apply for a product that’s just for members at the same time?- select to show or hide related content.
If I have third party access to, or power of attorney for, an account, am I a member?- select to show or hide related content.
If I opened a children’s account for my child, am I a member?- select to show or hide related content.
Am I a member if I hold a business savings account?- select to show or hide related content.
What rights do I have if I hold a joint account?- select to show or hide related content.
You may also be interested in…
Results and accounts
We have financial records going back to 2003 available for you to download.
Our history
Browse through our milestones and achievements and read about our origins, mergers and acquisitions.
We have over 10 years of financial records available to download. Please select a financial year from the links below to view the reports available for each period.
Interim Management Statement Q1 2017/18: highlights…
Statutory profit before tax of £322 million (Q1 2016/17: £401 million) and underlying profit before tax of £301 million (Q1 2016/17: £368 million). Profit broadly consistent with the prior period, after allowing for £26 million one-off gain this quarter and non-recurring £100 million gain in Q1 2016/17
Capital strength improved with CET1 ratio of 26.4% (4 April 2017: 25.4%) and UK leverage ratio of 4.4% (4 April 2017: 4.4%)
Opened 202,000 current accounts, up 17% and more than 1 in 5 of all switchers chose Nationwide
Gross mortgage lending of £8.1 billion (Q1 2016/17: £8.6 billion) inclusive of prime mortgage lending of £7.3 billion (Q1 2016/17: £6.9 billion); total market share of 13.0% (Q1 2016/17: 15.0%)
Full range of current accounts
Current account for under 18s
Student current accountNEW
Switching to Nationwide
Recommend a friend
Existing current account customers
Lost and stolen cards
Card reader support
Recommend a friend
Simply Rewards
Using your card abroad
Ways to pay
Ways to bank
Unknown transactions on my account
Security Centre
Bereavement
FlexAccount travel insurance claims
FlexPlus insurance claims
Foreign exchange rates
ATM and branch withdrawal limits
Cheque clearing calculator
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Full range of savings accounts
Full range of ISAs
Help me choose a savings account
Stocks and Shares ISAs
Business savings
Existing savings & ISA customers
Check your interest rate
Managing my savings
Recommend a friend
Fixed Rate Bond or ISA Maturity request
Personal Savings Allowance
Tax free savings guide
ISA inheritance
Guide to making the most of your savings
Bereavement
ISA flexibility
Mortgage overview
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Mortgage calculators
First time buyers
First time buyers guide
Moving home
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Remortgage guide
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Mortgage overview
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Mortgage calculators
Switch your deal
Switching guide
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Moving home
Porting your mortgage
Recommend a friend
Early repayment charges
Overpay your mortgage
Paying off your mortgage
Make changes to your mortgage
Letting your property
Payment difficulties
Bereavement
Loan calculator
Loan overview
Car loan
Debt consolidation
Home improvement
Apply for a new loan
Loyalty price promise
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Top up your loan
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Overpaying your loan
Loans frequently asked questions
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Understanding loans guide
Bereavement
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Compare our cards
The Select Credit Card
The Nationwide Credit Card
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Lost, stolen or damaged cards
Using my card abroad
Paying my bill
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Verified by Visa
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Credit Card Terms and Conditions
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Fees and charges
Closing my account
Bereavement
Home insurance
Life insurance & critical illness
Mortgage life insurance & critical illness
Income protection benefit
Worldwide family travel insurance
Mobile phone insurance
Breakdown cover
Existing insurance customers
Travel insurance support & claims
FlexPlus insurance support & claims
Car insurance support & claims
Life Cover calculator
Home contents calculator
Life insurance support & claims
Home insurance support & claims
Cancel your insurance
Contact us
Nationwide home insurance explained
Why is home insurance so important?
Investments Overview
Getting started with investments
Ready to invest online
Stocks and Shares ISAs
Financial Planning advice
Estate planning information
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Existing investment customers
IPS log on
PFP log on
Help for existing customers
Fund performance
Starting university this year? Find out how Nationwide could help with our student current account.
The poet featured is Tyreece Akwasi Asamoah.
Nationwide FlexStudent - Our totally fee-free student current account
At Nationwide, we’re committed to helping you control your finances – especially when it comes to student life.
Your flexible interest-free and fee-free overdraft
£1,000
We’ll start you off with an overdraft limit of £1,000.
£2,000
In your second year, you can request an increase to £2,000.
£3,000
In your third year, you can request an increase to £3,000.
FlexStudent Overdraft Representative Example
If you use an arranged overdraft of £1,200 the amount we will charge you is 0p per day (variable).
The overdraft limit is optional, and you don’t need to request the full amount each year. So long as you stay in control of your finances, we’ll increase the overdraft amount you can ask for by £1,000 each year, to a maximum of £3,000. If your course is two years long, you’ll only be eligible to request a maximum of £2,000 by the end of the second year. To remain eligible for the overdraft, you’ll need to pay in at least £500 per term from the date the account is opened. This can include your student loan, money from family members or any other income.
Are you eligible?
18 years and over
Accepted on a full-time UCAS course at a UK institution for a minimum of two years
Be within two months either side of your course start date
Don’t already have a student account with another provider (or agree to transfer it to Nationwide)
Receive 1% AER/gross p.a. (variable) on balances up to £1,000.
Great cashback offers on big brands with Simply Rewards for Visa debit or credit card customers.
You can make payments with your Nationwide debit and credit cards on compatible devices using Apple Pay, Android Pay™ and Samsung Pay anywhere that contactless payments are accepted.†
Quickly and safely check balances, pay bills and more – all on your smartphone.
From paying your rent to ordering paperless statements, our Internet Bank lets you do it all.
Simply register and tell us what alerts are important to you – we’ll do the rest.
You can contact us any time, day or night. Whatever you need, we’re right here.
Shop* with a Nationwide Visa debit or credit card registered with Simply Rewards and you could get cashback.
*Participating merchants only.
Register for our Simply Rewards scheme to get cashback rewards when you spend on your Nationwide Visa debit or credit card(s) at selected retailers. With no vouchers, loyalty cards or offer codes needed, the money goes straight to your card within 5 working days of each qualifying purchase. Earn cashback just by doing your usual shopping!
All offers are subject to terms and conditions which can be found on the Simply Rewards website.
Benefits
Cashback offers are matched to your own shopping preferences and purchase history, so you get offers that are relevant to you (they may vary from the ones your friends or family get)
Cashback offers from well-known brands are refreshed regularly
No points to collect or vouchers to print off
Register
Go to the Simply Rewards website to register your email address.
Select the link in the activation email, then add your 16 digit debit or credit card number, your postcode, and create a password
Read and agree to the terms and conditions and privacy policy to start receiving your cashback offers
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Available offers
Login to the Simply Rewards website to see all available offers*
Find your top two offers in the weekly email we send on a Friday
Check you meet the terms of the offer e.g.
Minimum purchase amount
Offer validity dates
Online or instore purchases
Purchase made with registered card
*Cashback offers from the brands below are regularly available on Simply Rewards. Please note, however, that as with any cashback scheme, these brands will not have offers available 100% of the time.
ashback offers are activated automatically when they’re sent to you by email or when you log in and scroll past them on the Simply Rewards website. You can use these immediately by making a qualifying purchase.
Normally, you can only redeem each offer once. But check the terms of each offer to see how many times it can be redeemed. You won’t see the offer details on the retailer’s checkout system.
To check you’ve redeemed an offer, either:
Log in and go to Offer History to see every offer you’ve redeemed and the cashback amount paid. This usually takes 5 days following your purchase.
Check you got an email confirmation, normally within five working days.
Check your statement for Visa Cashback.
All offers are subject to terms and conditions which can be found on the Simply Rewards website.
If your purchase met all the terms, go to the Simply Rewards Help section, choose My Offers and use the form to report a missed transaction to Visa’s customer service team. From your receipt, you must give:
Our SavingsWatch service lets you know by email as soon as we bring out a new savings account.
You need to be aged 16 or over and hold a savings account with us to sign up to SavingsWatch.
If you’ve registered for SavingsWatch, when we change your savings interest rate up or down, we’ll let you know by email or SMS text alert – you choose how. And, if we launch a new savings account, we’ll tell you about that too, by email.
You can register using our online form, through the Internet Bank or in branch. Find out how to register for SavingsWatch and eligibility for the service below.
You need to:
If you’re abroad when you receive a SavingsWatch SMS text message and are ‘roaming’ (that means using a host network for connectivity when you’re abroad), you may be charged for this. The cost depends on your tariff; you may want to check your tariff so you’re aware of any costs if you were to receive a text whilst abroad.
Attorneys registered with us can subscribe for SavingsWatch on behalf of the account holder, but it’s the account holder’s mobile number or email address that’s notified.