Nationwide is the world's largest building society and has a financial relationship with one in four UK households.  As the UK's 7th largest high street financial organisation, we are the 2nd largest savings provider and the 4th largest mortgage lender in the UK.

Nationwide is a mutual organisation meaning that we are owned by, and run for the benefit of, our members and can champion the causes that matter most to them.  As a mutual, Nationwide's principles are based on fairness, honesty and openness.  Our sole purpose is to maximise value for our members through better rates, fewer charges and by providing an excellent level of customer service. 
Nationwide is committed to remaining a building society so that we can continue to offer these benefits to our members now and in the future.

On 12th September 2006, the boards of Nationwide and Portman Building Societies announced that they have agreed to merge.  This will be the biggest ever building society merger.  The enlarged Society will be the UK's leading mutual organisation and will be named Nationwide Building Society.

The proposed merger is expected to become effective by the end of September 2007, subject to approval being given by Portman members, confirmation by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) and approval by the Office of Fair Trading.  Following the merger, Nationwide will be in an even better position to play a leading role in growing a modern and dynamic mutual sector in the UK.