Designed specifically for Chairs and Non-Executive Directors of building societies and credit unions, the BSA’s Annual Boards Seminar provides an opportunity to consider the strategic issues shaping the sector. Bringing together board members from across the UK, the event will explore the economic, political, technological, and regulatory environment in which mutual organisations are operating. It will consider how boards can set ambition, provide effective challenge, and help their organisations translate the sector’s distinctive purpose into meaningful outcomes for members and customers. The seminar will combine expert insight, practical board-level discussion and opportunities to exchange experiences with peers. It will also provide an update on the BSA’s strategic work and the collective priorities that will help building societies and credit unions demonstrate their relevance, distinctiveness, and value. Key topics The programme will cover: The market outlook, including emerging developments and their implications for the sector. The political landscape, including the Government’s priorities, its interest in mutuals and the opportunities for future growth. Cyber governance and resilience, examining the board’s role in establishing effective oversight, challenging organisational frameworks and building confidence in executive preparedness. Delivering the BSA strategy, with an update on work relating to capital opportunities, regulation, collaboration and strengthening the profile and appeal of the sector. Capital and board oversight, including how Chairs and boards can develop their understanding of capital options and provide appropriate scrutiny. Board development, considering how boards can continue to strengthen their collective effectiveness. Customer and member engagement, exploring how organisations can deepen relationships, build trust and use meaningful engagement to reinforce the distinctiveness of the mutual business model. Who should attend? This event is intended for: Chairs of building societies and credit unions Non-Executive Directors Board and committee members with responsibility for strategy, risk, cyber resilience, capital or member engagement Why attend? Attendees will have the opportunity to: Gain insight into the external forces influencing the sector Consider the board’s role in setting ambition and strategic direction Explore approaches to effective oversight and constructive challenge Hear practical perspectives on cyber resilience, capital and member engagement Contribute to discussion about the BSA’s strategic priorities Share experiences and build connections with board-level peers from across the UK Further details, including the timed agenda and speaker information, will be added shortly. About the programme The event will include a mixture of plenary discussions, focused sessions and networking opportunities. A dedicated parallel session for Chairs is also planned as part of the programme. (Registration closes at 17:00 on Friday, 30 October 2026) Cancellation policy

A free webinar hosted by BSA Associate, Legado   Join now. Start later. Help build what comes next. Join Legado, the BSA and Market Harborough Building Society to explore the Digital Communications and Engagement Utility for building societies and credit unions. Discover how collaboration can reduce print and postage costs, improve member experiences and lay the foundations for automation and AI. What we'll cover: The utility, its benefits and future potential. Legado’s delivery experience. Cohort 1 benefits, preferential terms and roadmap influence. Commitment deadlines and flexible implementation options. Commit by 16 November 2026 to secure Cohort 1 benefits and begin implementation in 12 to 18 months.

Technology is changing what members expect, how firms work and how financial services compete. Building societies must judge where to adapt, what to keep distinct and where working together could help the sector respond. AI is part of that change, alongside shifting member and broker expectations, pressure on skills and systems, new risks and the need to deliver transformation while protecting trust and human service.  The BSA Digital Symposium is for people across the sector who are leading, planning or delivering transformation projects and looking ahead to what comes next. It will bring together practical experience, emerging ideas and open debate on AI, wider change and collaboration. Delegates will leave with new ideas to test in their own work, lessons from societies already making change and fresh contacts for sharing problems and possible solutions.    The symposium will tackle three themes:  ADAPT | AI - Explore how societies are using and managing AI now, what they have learnt in practice, and what an AI mutual could become: fairer decisions, more flexible products and trusted support, with people in the moments that need judgement.  SHARE | TRANSFORMATION - Hear what societies are doing now, what has worked, what has proved hard and what others can use.  THRIVE | COLLABORATION AND RENEWAL - Decide what each society must own, what the sector could share and where joint systems, skills or services could give mutuals greater reach.  Detailed programme content and speakers will be updated here as and when confirmed. (Registration closes at 17:00 on Thursday, 19 November 2026) Cancellation policy

New research conducted by researches at Brunel University of London and the University of Essex, and supported by the Building Societies Association, explores what Open Banking means for building societies and the communities they serve.

As AI moves from experimentation into everyday use, effective governance is becoming increasingly important. This guest blog explores how building societies can use proportionate controls, clear accountability and ongoing monitoring to scale AI safely, support good member outcomes and encourage innovation.

A free event in London hosted by fintechOS    Elevate ’26 brings together building society, banking, insurance and technology leaders to explore how AI can drive real product innovation in financial services.   Hear from John Penberthy-Smith, Chief Commercial Officer at Saffron Building Society, and Darren Ditchburn, CEO of Vernon Building Society, alongside Rania Svoronou of Citi, Paroma Chatterjee of Revolut India and other industry voices. Through practical use cases, live demos and candid conversations, discover how AI can help financial institutions modernise, improve customer experiences and rethink how products are built, priced, distributed and operated — moving beyond the hype to practical impact. Who should attend? Elevate ’26 is particularly relevant for building society leaders and decision-makers responsible for strategy, transformation, product, mortgages, technology, operations, customer experience and innovation. Join peers from across the sector to explore practical approaches to modernisation, mortgage and product innovation, customer experience and AI adoption, and hear first-hand perspectives from building society leaders tackling these priorities today. Elevate ’26 is invitation-only and free to attend. Registrations are subject to confirmation.