Leeds Building Society reaches one-million-member milestone
Leeds Building Society has announced another reason to celebrate as it has welcomed its one millionth member.
The mutual, which is marking its 150th anniversary this year, has hit the milestone of achieving one million mortgage and savings members for the first time.
The Society was founded in Holbeck, Leeds, in 1875 to provide access to homeownership and give people a secure place for their savings.
Since then, it has grown to become the fifth largest building society in the UK, with 51 branches across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and total assets of more than £31bn.
Richard Fearon, Chief Executive Officer at Leeds Building Society, said:
“We’re absolutely delighted to have welcomed our one millionth member to the Society.
“Hitting this meaningful milestone during our 150th year gives us an opportunity to reflect on the fact that our purpose remains as relevant as ever.
“We were set up in 1875 to put homeownership within reach of more people generation after generation. By the end of our first year, 450 accounts had been opened and £16,000 lent in mortgages.
“150 years on, I am extremely proud of the impact we have made and that our heritage and experience allows us to continue making a difference to each of our members.”
Meanwhile, the Society is inviting UK-based community organisations to apply for a share of £150,000 as part of its 150th celebrations.
Organisations can apply for an unrestricted grant of up to £30,000 to support work aligned with the Society’s aim of supporting vulnerable people to find a place to belong through housing and their community.
Funding decisions will be made by a panel of selected building society colleagues who are passionate about supporting local good causes in June.
Charities and community groups interested in applying should email fund150@leedsbuildingsociety.co.uk to request a copy of the application guidance.
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For more information, please contact the press office at pressoffice@leedsbuildingsociety.co.uk or call 07552 959546.
About Leeds Building Society
- Leeds Building Society is the UK’s fifth-largest Building Society with assets of £31.6bn at the end of December 2024 and a total membership of more than 1m.
- The Society’s purpose is putting home ownership within reach of more people, generation after generation.
- It continues to do today what it was set up to do in 1875 – help people save money and buy their own home. The Society operates as a mutual, developing and innovating its product range and service offer to help members achieve their financial goals.
- The Society won the title of Best Shared Ownership Mortgage Lender in the 2024 What Mortgage Awards, its ninth consecutive year of success in this category.
- The Society employs over 1,800 colleagues, with a head office in the centre of Leeds, a customer contact centre in Newcastle and a network of 51 branches across the UK.
- The Society has been a Living Wage employer since 2019.
- The Society is committed to the orderly transition to a greener, net zero economy by 2050 and has set a second ambitious target to reduce our scope 1 and 2 location-based emissions by 60% by 2030, aligning with the UK’s net zero commitments.
For more on what we do and how we help our members, visit Leeds Building Society.