Nationwide Media Centre

• Nationwide to become the UK’s biggest group branch network from 4 June
• The 696-branch network includes 605 Nationwide and 91 Virgin Money branches
• Nationwide has pledged in November to keep every single branch open until at least 2030
• Last year, Nationwide supported 6.7m unique branch users and was responsible for 57% of all UK branch-based product openings, with its branch current account sales up 21%
• Nationwide continues to invest in branches and digital service as part of offering customers choice in banking

• 66% of first-time buyers bought a cheaper home because it needed DIY or renovation work done.
• Many choosing a ‘fixer-upper’ were able to buy in their preferred location, add value and put their stamp on it.
• DIY almost mandatory among first-time buyers, with 93% completing at least one project since moving in.
• But three quarters of first-time buyers have carried out more work than they expected at the outset.
• Nationwide’s recent ‘What Adds Value’ report reveals extensions or loft conversions can add up to 24% value.
• By borrowing more through Nationwide’s Helping Hand mortgage boost, Louis from Essex was able to keep money back from deposit to finance renovation costs.

• North of England attracts largest price and rental premium for more energy efficient buy-to-let properties.
• With potential value added to house prices, coupled with higher rents, the majority of landlords in the Midlands and North likely to recoup the initial investment within five years.
• Pre-1919 properties make up nearly a third of the private rented stock and the cost to upgrade those properties to EPC band C is c£10,700. This compares to just £2,500 for a property built between 2003 and 2013.
• Terraced properties make up a third of England’s private rented sector properties and will require around £7,900, on average, to improve them to an EPC ‘C’ rating.
• 51% of private rented stock in England now rated A to C, up from 25% ten years ago.
• Property rated A or B attracts a significant premium of 12.2%, compared to a similar property rated ‘D’ (up from 10.9% in 2024).
• Rental premium of 8.1% for A or B rated property (compared with similar D-rated property), equivalent to c£85 per month (up from £70 per month in 2024).

• Nationwide becomes first UK bank or building society to launch a financial education accreditation for teachers
• New research reveals 89%of Parents surveyed say it’s more important than ever to learn personal finance, with 81% worried about the standard of content on social media
• Teachers cite lack of time and confidence as key barriers to teaching personal finance – accreditation provides full package of lessons and activities
• Accreditation expands Nationwide’s Money Lessons programme in partnership with Visa