Nationwide Building Society shares major update affecting all 605 branches in UK

09 October 2023 , 11:17

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Nationwide Building Society has launched its biggest rebrand for 36 years (Image: SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Nationwide Building Society has committed to keeping branches open as it launches its biggest rebrand in 36 years.

The building society said all of its 605 branches in the UK will receive an overhaul which Nationwide's chief executive Debbie Crosbie says will keep them "relevant for customers today and tomorrow".

The new design was done by the London studio New Commercial Arts as part of a drive to "modernise" the building society as well as reiterate it being member-owned rather than owned by shareholders. Alongside design changes in branches, all Nationwide's payment cards and customer letters and emails will be updated with the slogan “A Good Way to Bank”.

Nationwide extended its branch promise earlier this year in June. This pledge is that it won’t leave any town or city in which it is based until at least 2026. The building society says it is determined to protect face-to-face service, which is invaluable to many customers, including the vulnerable.

Bank closures have become the norm over the last few years as more people choose to do their banking online rather than in a branch. According to Which? banks and building societies have closed, or have scheduled to close, over 5,800 branches since January 2015

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Nationwide Building Society has said its commitment to keeping its sites open means it now has the largest number of branches in the UK compared to other banking brands, according to CACI data.

Research, conducted by Censuswide for Nationwide, found two thirds of people - or 63% of people - value their local branch, with face-to-face service given as the top reason.

Debbie Crosbie said: “Nationwide offers a large-scale alternative to the shareholder-owned banks. As a major challenger, we are committed to offering a good way to bank for our customers through better service, value and fairness. Our rebrand is the most significant in 36 years and ensures we continue to be relevant for the needs of customers today and tomorrow.”

Earlier this year, Nationwide also made a £100 payment to 3.4million eligible members through its first “Nationwide fairer share” scheme. The building society decided to make this move after it secured record profits of £2.2billion.

Ruby Flanagan