21 May 2026

Nationwide announces 2026 Fairer Share payment as part of its member benefits

  • Around 4.4m eligible members to receive £100 Fairer Share in June, taking total paid since 2023 to c£1.5bn 
  • Nationwide returned £1.8bn of value back to its members as it announces full year financial results 
  • New 5% Member Exclusive Bond and £175 current account switching incentive also announced 
  • Record year for personal current account growth as more than 1m accounts opened with Nationwide (which now includes Virgin Money) 

Nationwide will pay Fairer Share again, with more than 4m eligible members to receive £100 each, underlining the continued success of its mutual model. 

The announcement comes as Nationwide publishes its full year results and unveils a range of member benefits, including a Member Exclusive Bond and customer current account switching incentive (see Notes to Editors for highlights). It returned £1.8bn of value to members last year, including £1.4bn delivered through better‑than‑average rates and incentives. 

Dame Debbie Crosbie, Nationwide’s Chief Executive, said: “More people than ever are choosing Nationwide. Our growth in mortgages, retail deposits and personal current accounts is leading the market, which means we can again make a Fairer Share payment to eligible members, and offer a new Member Exclusive Bond to all members.” 

The latest Fairer Share payment, totalling around £440m, will be paid from 10 June to eligible members choosing Nationwide for their everyday banking, in addition to having a qualifying savings account or mortgage (see eligibility criteria here).  

Nationwide is launching a new 5% Member Exclusive Bond, as it saves its best rates for members, and a £175 current account switching incentive for those switching their current account to Nationwide.

A record one million current accounts were opened with Nationwide last year, with over 300,000 switching away from other banks in 2025. Student account openings doubled and Nationwide remains the number one choice for new college and university students. 

Fairer Share: Since its introduction in 2023, Nationwide will have returned around £1.5bn to members through Fairer Share, reflecting its longstanding commitment to sharing the benefits of strong financial performance with those who bank with Nationwide. While Nationwide aims to pay Fairer Share every year, it is not guaranteed and subject to Board approval.  

Member Exclusive Bond: The Member Exclusive Bond offers a fixed rate of 5% AER/gross a year for 15 months, on balances of up to £10,000. The Bond is available exclusively to Nationwide and Virgin Money customers who are members of Nationwide.  

Current account switching incentive: Nationwide is offering a £175 current account switching incentive for those switching their current account to Nationwide. They can switch in bookable branch appointments, on the phone or online.  

 

Notes to editors

Notes to Editor: 

  • Fairer Share:  
  • Paid for the fourth consecutive year in 2026. Around £440m will be paid to more than 4m members this year. Around £1.5bn will have been returned to members since Fairer Share launched. Eligibility criteria apply. https://www.nationwide.co.uk/fairershareannouncement 
  • Member Exclusive Bond:  
  • 5% AER/gross a year (fixed). 
  • 15‑month term. 
  • Balances up to £10,000. 
  • Switching offer:  
  • Switches must be from a non-Nationwide and non-Virgin Money current account. 
  • Switching appointments are available in participating branches. 
  • Offer can be withdrawn at any time. 

Results highlights: 

  • Current accounts:  Over 1m current accounts opened this year. Nationwide doubled their student current account openings compared to last year. Number one for current account switching for a fifth quarter in a row. 20% rise in current accounts opened in branches. 
  • Service:  Nationwide was first for customer satisfaction amongst its peer group for the 14th year running. Its Branch Promise was extended until at least the start of 2030 and has the UK’s largest single-brand branch network.  
  • Business: Business deposit balances grew to £22.8bn (2025: £21.1bn), one of the strongest growth rates in the market, including a Virgin Money brand record of 56,000 business current account openings. 
  • Value: Delivered £1.8bn in value to members, including a third Fairer Share Payment of £400m in June 2025. Announced fourth Fairer Share Payment today. 
  • Mortgages: Market-leading net lending of £10.3bn. Mortgage balances increased to £286.3 billion (2025: £275.9 billion) with a market share of balances of 16.3% (2025: 16.2%). Nationwide helped 88,000 first-time buyers into a home of their own.     
  • Savings:  Market-leading growth in retail deposits of £10.1bn balances increased to £270.8bn (2025: £260.7bn) with a market share of 12.2% (2025: 12.2%). Average deposit rates were 28% per cent higher than the market average.   
  • Good for Society: Last year, Nationwide supported over 200,000 people through its Fairer Futures programme, including hosting over 6,000 free dementia clinics in branches. Committed £21.8m to charitable activities. Supported over 215,000 school children with financial education. Became a funding partner to the Invest in Women Taskforce, committing to invest £25m in female and mixed gender-led businesses. 
  • Profit: 9% rise in underlying profit before tax to £2bn. It kept cost increases below the rate of inflation while investing in industry leading, modern technology infrastructure.  Underlying profit for the second half of the year was up 17% compared to the same period last year which included Virgin Money.