Our History

In the decades that followed, other local building societies appeared, including West Yorkshire in 1866 and Bradford Self Help in 1885. Eventually, these three came together to form the Yorkshire Building Society in 1982.

From there, we continued to grow, through mergers and new services. By 2001, we were the UK’s third largest mutual with over £11 billion in assets. And by 2024, we had more than 3 million members and nearly £65.5 billion in assets.

Today, we’re still proudly mutual, owned by our members rather than shareholders. Our purpose remains the same. We’re here to provide Real Help with Real Life, supporting more people to find a place to call home and build financial resilience. It’s been an incredible journey so far, and the best is yet to come.

1975

Huddersfield and Bradford come together in the largest society merger of the time.

1982

Huddersfield & Bradford and West Yorkshire societies unite to form Yorkshire Building Society.

1992

Yorkshire Building Society merges with Haywards Heath Building Society.

2015

667 colleagues and Marie Curie nurses break the world record for the largest cream tea party across multiple venues.

2016

Money Minds, our financial education programme for 5–19-year-olds, is introduced.

The Barnsley brand is retired, and Chelsea becomes a digital-only brand.

2017

Norwich & Peterborough is retired, making Yorkshire Building Society our sole high street brand.