Newcastle Building Society reports strong half-year performance. Gross mortgage lending reached £623m and the net residential mortgage growth was £289m. Newcastle Building Society has reported a strong half-year performance to 30th June 2026, with profit before tax rising to £15.1m from £10.8m in 2025. Underlying operating profit was £14.9m. Assets grew to £7.4bn, up from £7.0bn at year end. Savings balances increased to £6.2bn and gross mortgage lending reached £623m. Net residential mortgage growth was £289m, compared with £156m in the same period last year. Borrowers on standard variable rate products saved about £790,000 in interest compared to the market average. Customer satisfaction stayed at 97% and the net promoter score was +85. Andrew Haigh, CEO at Newcastle Building Society, said: "The first half of 2026 has demonstrated the resilience of its business model and the continued importance of its purpose-led approach. "Despite an evolving and often challenging external environment with continued global and UK political and economic uncertainty, The Intermediary has remained focused on creating long-term value for its members, investing in its communities and strengthening the sustainability of the Group. "As a customer-owned organisation, our success is measured not only by financial performance, but by the positive difference we make in the places we serve." Haigh added: "Across the North East and North West, The Intermediary continue to support people and communities through accessible face-to-face services, trusted financial advice, community partnerships, grant funding and initiatives that help create opportunity and improve financial wellbeing. "The opening of its new Guisborough branch, alongside the continued development of Manchester Building Society in Greater Manchester, demonstrates its commitment to maintaining access to financial services at a time when many high streets are losing them. "Through both our Newcastle and Manchester brands, we are investing in the future of our communities, creating welcoming places where people can access trusted support, financial guidance and services that meet their needs." He said: "The Intermediary will continue to deliver value through competitive savings and mortgage products while investing in the capabilities, partnerships and infrastructure that will enable The Intermediary to support members and communities for generations to come. "As always, I would like to thank our members for their continued support and our colleagues for their commitment and dedication to delivering our purpose of connecting our communities with a better financial future."

Shepherds Friendly hires Laura Gauden as head of sales. Shepherds Friendly has appointed Laura Gauden as head of sales with a brief to grow the mutual society's intermediary partnerships. Gauden (pictured) brings more than 20 years of mortgage and insurance intermediary distribution experience to the 200-year-old mutual. She now oversees the sales team to drive revenue growth and support the development of the society's proposition. Gauden's previous role as national sales manager at Newcastle Building Society ended in December. Prior to that, Gauden held various sales and account manager positions at the Chartered Insurance Institute, Payment Shield, CHL Mortgages, Virgin Money and Northern Rock. In February, the mutual's former head of sales, Laura Hassall, stepped into the new head of strategic partnerships role, where she manages service providers and network relationships. Gauden said she was impressed by the culture at Shepherds Friendly and was excited to lead the sales team. "Financial resilience has never been more important, particularly in today's economic climate," she said. "The need for holistic advice and comprehensive protection is greater than ever, and with a significant protection gap still evident across the UK. "It's a privilege to be part of a member-focused organisation dedicated to helping more people build long-term financial security." Phil Nash, chief sales officer, said: "Laura comes to Shepherds Friendly with a vast amount of mortgage and insurance market experience and we're incredibly happy to welcome her into the team at this exciting time of growth." In May, Shepherds Friendly formed a partnership with Primis, which has almost 3,000 mortgage advisers and more than 1,000 mortgage and protection firms in its network. The society also has distribution agreements with SimplyBiz, Next Intelligence, Mortgage Intelligence, Paradigm and The Money Group. Have you read?

Mutual opens a new Guisborough branch. A mutual has announced plans to expand its high street presence with a new branch in North Yorkshire. Newcastle Building Society has announced plans to open a new branch in Guisborough, North Yorkshire, taking over a site on Westgate previously occupied by Yorkshire Building Society. The move comes amid continued concern over bank branch closures across the UK, which have reduced access to in-person financial services for many communities. The new branch will offer a full range of services, including support with savings, mortgages and financial guidance, delivered by a locally based team. Andrew Haigh, chief executive at Newcastle Building Society, said: "Communities deserve local, face-to-face service from their banks and building societies, and losing high street branches creates uncertainty and worry. "Customers tell us every day about how much they value being able to speak to someone in person about their money, how they are increasingly concerned about scams, and about the positive difference it makes being able to visit a local branch and talk to someone they know and trust. "Of course there's a role for technology and digital access to support and enhance the services we offer, but first and foremost, we believe that financial services is, and will continue to be, a people business. "We're delighted to announce our plans to open a new branch in Guisborough, addressing the decline of financial services in the town. "By moving quickly following the exit of the previous occupier, we'll deliver the guidance and support local people need, and bring high-quality jobs to Guisborough." Newcastle Building Society has continued to invest in its branch network in recent years, opening new sites and modernising existing locations, including the Society's flagship brach at Monument in Newcastle city centre branches, as well as a new community partnership branch in North Shields and a new high street branch in Pickering. The Guisborough opening aims to maintain local access to essential services and provide customers with an alternative to increasingly digital-first banking models. Andrew added: "Alongside our investment in digital services, we remain focused on our commitment to grow our branch network. "Many people can't or don't want to bank solely online. "Properly staffed branches where customers are served by people and not machines are vital to maintaining financial inclusion. "Access to trained and friendly staff in welcoming branches enables people to make the right decisions and provides support at important moments in their lives, like dealing with a death in the family, planning for retirement, or saving for a first home." Want your business, product or service to be seen regionally and nationally? Bdaily helps you get your story in front of the right audience, every day. Find out how Bdaily can help Join more than 55,000 subscribers by signing up to our daily bulletin each morning here. Explore these topics. Enjoy the read? Get Bdaily delivered. * Occasional offers & updates from selected Bdaily partners