The Loughborough Building Society

What The Loughborough Building Society does

The Loughborough Building Society is an independent mutual building society founded in 1867, headquartered in Loughborough, Leicestershire, and operating across the East Midlands of England. It is owned by and run for the benefit of its 20,000+ members, with no external shareholders; profits are reinvested into the Society rather than distributed as dividends. The Society is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FS Register: 157258), with FSCS deposit protection up to £120,000 per eligible person.

The Society's core business is the classic building society spread model: collecting retail and business deposits (instant access, fixed-rate bonds, ISAs, notice accounts, regular savers, youth accounts, community accounts) and lending the funds out as residential and specialist mortgages. The mortgage product suite spans first-time buyer, family assist, shared ownership, residential purchase, buy-to-let and holiday let, borrowing into retirement (with terms extending beyond age 80), near-prime/credit repair, and buy-for-university products. Underwriting is conducted manually on a case-by-case basis rather than through automated credit scoring, with a focus on complex and niche cases that mainstream lenders decline. Intermediaries access the Society through a dedicated mortgage portal with integrated credit decisioning software, soft credit checks at DIP stage, and a suite of affordability calculators; the portal is distributed via six major mortgage clubs (PMS, Omni, Legal & General, TMA, Advise Wise, Paradigm) and five appointed representative networks.

Distribution combines six physical branches and one agency location across Loughborough, Anstey, Derby, Long Eaton, and Southwell with telephone, postal, email, and online channels. Non-lending products include home and personal protection insurance through a Pure Protect partnership and in-branch financial planning through Wren Sterling. Revenue is generated primarily from the net interest spread between mortgage lending and savings deposits, supplemented by mortgage product fees ranging from £0 to £5,000. The Society maintains a long-standing corporate charity partnership with Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People and supports several community savings initiatives that donate a share of balances to local causes.

Name

The Loughborough Building Society

Legal name

The Loughborough Building Society

Website

https://theloughborough.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1867

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Loughborough Building Society is a mutual building society founded in 1867, offering savings accounts and specialist mortgage lending (including retirement, buy-to-let, and shared ownership products) to 20,000+ members across the East Midlands, distributed through 6 branches and a UK-wide mortgage intermediary panel.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Retail Building Society Banking

NAICS

Mortgage and Nonmortgage Loan Brokers (522310)

SIC

Mortgage Bankers & Loan Correspondents (6162)

akta.pro primary industry

Building Societies (Mutual Mortgage/Retail Banks) (FSABAEAE)

Keywords

• Retail savings accounts
• Residential mortgages
• Building society services
• Buy to let lending
• Intermediary mortgage distribution

Headquarters

HQ city

Leicester

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Mortgage Lending: Interest income from residential and buy-to-let mortgages. As a mutual building society without external shareholders, profits are reinvested to support long-term value, stability, and service for members.
2. Savings Deposits: Interest paid to savers on deposit accounts including instant access, fixed-rate bonds, notice accounts, ISAs, and business deposits. The spread between mortgage interest charged and savings interest paid generates revenue.
3. Mortgage Product Fees: Product fees charged on mortgage products ranging from £0 to £5,000 depending on the mortgage type and product selected.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Loughborough Building Society is an independent mutual building society offering a range of savings accounts (cash ISAs, fixed-rate bonds, easy access, regular savings, community accounts, business deposits) and mortgage products (residential, buy to let, borrowing into retirement, family assist, shared ownership, first time buyer). As a member-owned mutual with no external shareholders, profits are reinvested for member benefit, and lending decisions are made through manual underwriting on a case-by-case basis. Distribution is through a regional East Midlands branch network, telephone channels, and a UK-wide panel of mortgage intermediaries.

Product overview

The Loughborough Building Society operates as an independent mutual building society offering a comprehensive range of financial products. Its savings portfolio comprises Business Deposit Accounts, Cash ISAs (including Junior ISA), Community Accounts supporting local charities (Rainbows Hospice, Barrow Upon Soar Library, Castle Donington Library), Easy Access Savings with tiered options (Access X1-X4), Fixed Rate Bonds, Regular Savings, and Younger Generation accounts (Zero to Eighteen, Young Regular Saver). The mortgage suite includes Borrowing into Retirement products (with terms extending beyond age 80), Buy to Let and Holiday Let mortgages, Residential Purchase mortgages including Shared Ownership and Buy for University options, First Time Buyer mortgages with Family Deposit schemes, and Joint Borrower Sole Proprietor products. The Society also provides intermediary services via a dedicated mortgage portal with integrated affordability calculators, home and personal insurance through Pure Protect partnership, and financial planning via Wren Sterling partnership. All products are available to UK residents, with mortgages restricted to properties in England and Wales.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Business Deposit Accounts
• Cash ISAs Individual Savings Accounts offering tax-free interest on savings, including two-year fixed-rate cash ISAs (e.g., Issue 66 at 4.42% fixed), instant access cash ISAs, notice ISAs, and Junior ISAs at 3.65%.
• Community Savings Accounts Savings accounts that support local clubs and charities, including Rainbows Community Saver (Instant Access 1.40%, Access X4 2.80%) which donates 0.50% of total balances up to £10,000 annually to Rainbows Hospice.
• Easy Access Savings Accounts Flexible savings accounts allowing savers to access their money whenever needed, with tiered access options: Access X1 3.60%, Access X2 3.45%, Access X3 3.15%.
• Fixed Rate Bonds Fixed-rate savings accounts offering guaranteed returns over a defined term, e.g., Two Year Fixed Rate Bond Issue 179 at 4.50% fixed, maturing 31 July 2028.
• Regular Savings Accounts Regular savings accounts helping members build savings at their own pace with monthly deposits and competitive interest, e.g., Regular Saver Issue 1 at 2.05% (£0–£1,000 monthly) and Limited Access Monthly Saver at 4.15% (£1–£2,000 monthly).
• Younger Generation Savings Accounts Savings accounts tailored for children and young people including the Zero to Eighteen Account, Young Regular Saver Issue 1 at 2.95% (£1–£100 monthly), and Junior ISA at 3.65%.
• Borrowing into Retirement Mortgages Mortgages specifically designed for borrowers in or nearing retirement needing terms extending beyond age 80, with LTV up to 80% for under 70s and up to 70% for 70+, product fees from £499 to £1,499, and rates from 5.90% to 7.39% (representative APRC 8.0%).
• Buy to Let Mortgages Mortgages for property investors letting out residential properties, including a Buy to Let 2 Year Discount at 5.95% (APRC 7.9%, £1,499 product fee) and a Holiday Let 2 Year Fixed Rate at 4.99% (APRC 8.0%, £5,000 product fee), supporting single properties to portfolios of up to three.
• Residential Purchase Mortgages Mortgages for home buyers including Buy for University term discount products (rates 6.04–6.35%, APRC 6.4–6.7%, 80-month term, £499 product fee), shared ownership, credit repair, near prime, and large loan/LTI options.
• First Time Buyer Mortgages Mortgage products for first time buyers, including Family Deposit schemes enabling borrowing up to 100% of property value with family support and standard products from 5% deposit.
• Family Assist Mortgages Mortgage products enabling family members to assist with home purchase through deposit contributions, equity release, or joint borrower sole proprietor arrangements.
• Home Insurance Home insurance products provided through the Society's partnership with Pure Protect, offering tailored coverage for members' properties.
• Personal Protection Insurance Personal protection insurance products offered through the Society's partnership with Pure Protect, including life and income protection cover for members.
• Financial Planning Services Financial planning and advice services delivered in-branch through partnership with Wren Sterling independent financial advisers, covering estate planning, investments, retirement planning, and general financial planning (FCA Register: 665653).

Quantifiable outcome

• FSCS deposit protection increased to £120,000 per eligible person from December 2025
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young PeoplecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Corporate charity partner since 2017 (150th anniversary). Support includes: volunteering at retail operations, fundraising events, community savings accounts with annual donations (0.50% of balances up to £10,000), AGM member voting per vote donation, Santa Fun Run sponsorship with finisher's medals and costume distribution, in-branch recycling bins and cuddly toy sales. Rainbows must raise £8.5 million annually with only 12% government funding.
• Wren SterlingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership since 2008 providing in-branch financial advice services through Wren Sterling independent financial advisers. Covers estate planning, investments, retirement planning, and general financial planning. Wren Sterling is a nationwide firm of IFAs authorised and regulated by FCA (Register: 665653).
• PMS Mortgage ClubcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorJoined PMS Mortgage Club panel in May 2025, significantly expanding intermediary access. PMS has over 8,000 advisers. Provides PMS members access to full range of residential and buy-to-let products including lending in retirement, JBSP, family assist, shared ownership, holiday lets, buy-for-university products.
• OmnimajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor mortgage club platform for intermediary distribution. Intermediaries can register with The Loughborough through Omni panel.
• Legal & GeneralmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor mortgage club platform for intermediary distribution. Intermediaries can register with The Loughborough through Legal & General panel.
• TMAmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMortgage club platform for intermediary distribution. Intermediaries can register with The Loughborough through TMA panel.
• Advise WisemajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMortgage club platform for intermediary distribution. Intermediaries can register with The Loughborough through Advise Wise panel.
• Paradigm Mortgage ClubmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMortgage club platform for intermediary distribution. Intermediaries can register with The Loughborough through Paradigm panel.
• Mortgage Advice BureaumajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAppointed Representative network. Intermediaries can register with The Loughborough through Mortgage Advice Bureau.
• TMG DirectmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAppointed Representative network. Intermediaries can register with The Loughborough through TMG Direct.
• CornerstonemajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAppointed Representative network. Intermediaries can register with The Loughborough through Cornerstone.
• John CharcolmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAppointed Representative network. Intermediaries can register with The Loughborough through John Charcol.
• The Right Mortgage LtdmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAppointed Representative network. Intermediaries can register with The Loughborough through The Right Mortgage Ltd.
• Castle Donington Community LibraryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity savings account partner. Society offers Castle Donington Community Library Community Saver accounts (Instant Access and Access X4) with annual donations to the library based on account balances.
• Barrow Upon Soar LibraryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity savings account partner. Society offers Barrow Upon Soar Library Community Saver accounts (Instant Access and Access X4) with annual donations to the library based on account balances.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Nationwide Building Society: The UK's largest building society, providing savings, mortgages and insurance at national scale. Although far larger, it competes with The Loughborough in mortgage intermediary panels and standard savings products, setting baseline competitive pricing.
• Skipton Building Society: A large UK building society with a well-known specialism in later-life and complex mortgages, overlapping directly with Loughborough's core niches but competing at much greater scale and via national intermediary distribution.
• Coventry Building Society: A large UK building society offering a full range of savings and residential, buy-to-let and specialist mortgages through a national intermediary panel, and a Tier 2 savings bond provider competing directly with Loughborough for retail deposits.

Direct peers

• Melton Mowbray Building Society: Another small East Midlands mutual building society, with overlapping branch geography, savings products and a niche mortgage book including later-life and family-assist lending, serving a similarly localised membership.
• Newbury Building Society: A small UK regional mutual building society with a comparable product mix of savings accounts, residential mortgages and specialist lending, targeting similar member demographics through branch and intermediary channels.
• Nottingham Building Society: A fellow small East Midlands mutual building society, broadly comparable in size and geographic focus, offering savings and residential/buy-to-let mortgages including specialist later-life and family-assist products to a similar regional membership base.
• Family Building Society: A UK mutual building society focused on family-orientated savings and specialist mortgage products including later-life lending and family-assist, directly comparable in product proposition to Loughborough.
• Buckinghamshire Building Society: A small regional mutual building society offering savings products and a residential mortgage book including Buy to Let and complex cases, competing for a similar intermediary-led mortgage niche.
• Dudley Building Society: A small UK mutual building society with a similar savings-led funding model and a residential mortgage book including specialist products for borrowers outside standard high-street criteria.
• Tipton & Coseley Building Society: A small UK mutual building society of comparable size with savings products and a long-standing tradition of tailored mortgage underwriting for complex borrower cases, operating primarily through branch and intermediary channels.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/theloughborough

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Loughborough Building Society