Reading, Guildford, and Woking Are Turning to not-for-profit banking. Here’s why.

In 2022, we expanded into Reading, Guildford and Woking for a simple reason. We knew people were looking for an alternative to high street banks.

Since then, enquiries from Reading, Guildford and Woking have grown steadily. They now account for 21% of all the new enquiries we receive.

That growth tells its own story.

More people in Reading, Guildford and Woking are actively searching for competitive loans, straightforward savings accounts and Cash ISAs from a bank that feels more personal and less corporate.

In Reading, we regularly hear from people who want a fair personal loan assessed by a real person, not just a system. When someone applies for a loan in Reading with us, their application is reviewed by a human underwriter who looks at the full picture.

In Guildford, many new members tell us they were looking for a savings account or ISA that was clear, transparent and easy to manage. They did not expect to find a not-for-profit, member-owned bank, but once they understood the model, it made sense.

In Woking, we have seen steady growth in savings accounts, Cash ISAs and Christmas Clubs. People want dependable banking without gimmicks.

We are structured differently. Like other mutual organisations such as Nationwide Building Society, Yorkshire Building Society and Coventry Building Society, we are owned by our members. But as a not-for-profit bank, our focus is simple. Do the right thing for the people who use us.

• That shapes how we lend in Reading.

• It shapes how we support savers in Guildford.

• It shapes how we provide ISAs in Woking.

And it is why growth across these towns has been consistent and genuine.

If you live or work in Reading, Guildford or Woking and are looking for competitive loans, straightforward savings accounts or a Cash ISA from a not-for-profit bank, you now have that option locally.