The BSA represents all 42 building societies, as well as 7 larger credit unions. Building societies serve almost 26 million consumers across the UK and have total assets of over £507 billion.

Together with their subsidiaries, they have helped over 3.5 million families and individuals to buy a home with mortgages totalling over £375 billion, representing 23% of total mortgage balances outstanding in the UK.

They are also helping over 23 million people build their financial resilience, holding over £370 billion of retail savings, accounting for 19% of all cash savings in the UK. Building societies account for 40% of all cash ISA balances. 

With all of their headquarters outside London, building societies employ more than 51,500 full and part-time staff.  In addition to digital services they operate approximately 1,300 branches, holding a 38% share of financial services branches in local communities. 

You can read more about building societies' lending and savings figures in the statistics section.