Putting you first
Why choose Nationwide?
As a member of Nationwide, you can be sure that we put your interests first. Whether you're saving for the future, buying your home or enjoying the fruits of your retirement, it's good to know that we'll give you great value and service in a way that is fair and honest.
We try to make the Nationwide difference a reality by:
- giving you value and fairness
- making it easier to do business with us
- meeting all your financial needs
- supporting the community
- listening to you
And now you can:
Tell us how we can do even better through our member suggestion scheme.
Meeting all your financial needs
We offer a complete range of financial services - savings, investments, insurance, mortgages, loans, pensions, credit cards and banking - all of which are designed to give you great value.
Mortgages
Whether you're a first time buyer, moving home or re-mortgaging, we may have a mortgage to suit you. Our simple range of fixed, variable (base mortgage rate) mortgages are all available as repayment or interest only, and have no hidden fees or charges.
What's more, we appreciate your circumstances may change. That's why our mortgages come with flexibility as standard, giving you the option to make overpayments, underpayments and apply to take payment holidays (conditions apply). Plus, because we calculate interest daily, you'll only pay interest on the amount you owe, which is the fairest way of charging.
Did you know? In the latest awards from Your Mortgage, we won ‘Best Re-Mortgage Lender 2008’ and ‘Best First Time Buyer Mortgage 2008’. Also, Your Money magazine awarded us ‘Best overall Online Provider for 2008’.
Savings
We are the second largest savings provider on the High Street and over 14 million people trust us with their money. We offer a wide range of savings accounts, from Instant Access and Fixed Rate Savings to Youth accounts and an account especially for over 60’s.
Banking
We're not just about mortgages and savings - we offer a complete range of financial services to meet your needs. Take a look at FlexAccount, our current account, which offers a competitive interest rate. It also offers a number of ways to manage your account to suit your needs, either online, by phone or in our branches. Plus, we don't charge you anything for cash machine withdrawals at home or abroad (although the machine provider may make charges over which we have no control).
Making it easier to do business with us
We are committed to improving access to our services however you choose to do business with us.
In 2004 we announced that we'd be investing £300 million over six years into our branches, agencies, call centres and Internet Bank.
Did you know? We've equipped all our branches with Helping Hands Units that include items such as magnifiers, an easy-grip pen, and cheque templates, to help members with disabilities.
Did you know? Our Telephone Self Service banking facility uses the latest speech recognition technology supported by traditional 'touch tone' functions.
Branch agencies
Our network of agencies, usually in smaller towns, brings a range of Nationwide services to many more places. For full details of our branch and agency network, visit our Branch Finder.
Nationwide online
Over 3 million members have registered for our Internet Banking service, which complements more traditional channels such as the branch or the phone.
Using the latest technology
In today's hectic world, more and more people manage their lives on the move. We understand that. So now you can access www.nationwide.co.uk using the latest technology WAP mobile phones and pocket computers (personal digital assistants).
Promoting corporate responsibility
The new Nationwide Corporate Responsibility strategy signals our commitment to financial education and housing through a number of exciting new partnerships and initiatives.
Financial education
Our Nationwide Education website is an interactive resource for teachers, children and parents, designed to improve financial literacy and road safety. Freely available to all UK schools and homes the website delivers serious messages in a fun and engaging way. To access the website please visit nationwideeducation.co.uk
In addition to our work with schools we have sponsored the Teenagers Guide to Money, to help young people be financially independent and responsible in the future.
In October 2008 we announced our partnership with Citizens Advice. Our £3 million investment will fund the recruitment and training of 1300 volunteers over the next three years who will provide financial education training and advice on money matters.
Housing
October 2008 saw the launch of the Nationwide Sustainable Housing Awards, which promotes economic and environmental sustainability. Working with the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), we welcome entries from all undergraduate architecture and design students in the UK. For more information please visit nationwideriba.co.uk
In line with our renewed focus on housing inclusion we announced a new partnership with Shelter in November 2008. Our pilot programme in Bristol will help maintain and strengthen their services including the 'Keys for the Future' programme for homeless children. The core principles of our commitment remain prevention, education and advice.
Community & Environment
We continue to invest in community and environmental programmes, working in partnership with a range of organisations including Disability Sports Events and Macmillan Cancer Support.
Nationwide has supported Macmillan Cancer Support for over 15 years and with the help of employees and members has raised over £5 million to date; a big 'Thank-you' to all members who voted at our last AGM and helped raise £250,000. This money provided vital funding for the Durham and Plymouth Macmillan Information Centres. To learn more about Nationwide Corporate Responsibility please visit our website nationwide.co.uk.
The Nationwide Foundation
Our associated charity, The Nationwide Foundation, has made over £23 million of donations to organisations across the UK. You can find out more about The Foundation by visiting their website www.nationwidefoundation.org.uk.
Listening to you
As a Nationwide member you have a say in how your Society is run. In fact, we believe a key way for us to keep improving, is to listen to you and try to understand your needs better.
Every day our member-facing employees record your comments while you're in the branch, or on the phone, giving us a clear picture of what you think about your Society. Last year we recorded around 120,000 pieces of feedback which we use to improve service both locally and nationally.
Directors listening to members
We believe it's important for our Directors to listen to members' views and opinions first hand. Members can put their questions to Directors at TalkBack events held around the UK and online. The most recent online TalkBack event received nearly 1750 submitted questions. Since our TalkBacks started in 1997, many products and services have improved as a result.
Finding out what you want
We regularly invite members to take part in market research. It's a way of us getting to know you better, enabling us to provide the products and services that you really want.
Did you know? An actual accredited research company telephones around 2,750 customers on our behalf every month to help us pinpoint where we're doing well, not so well, and what's important to our members.
Tried and tested
Before we launch new products and services we test them thoroughly at our Usability Centre by asking members to help us try out each new service and product. Does it meet a genuine need? Is the information clear and easy to understand? Does it deliver great value? Does it live up to the Nationwide difference? If the answer to any of these questions is no, then we change it and test again.
How can we do better?
We always welcome members' feedback on our services. You can ask to see someone at your local branch, or come to one of our Member TalkBack events where you can question our directors face to face.
We value all your suggestions, even if we can't always act on every one. We'll let you know if we put your idea into action.