New banking app and branch expansion as Swansea Building Society sees strong demand from savers and homebuyers

The society has launched a new mobile banking app and, for the first time, customers can now open savings accounts online, giving members easier access to their finances without needing to visit a branch.

At the same time, the building society is planning to open a new branch in Abergavenny and has secured larger premises in Carmarthen to support growing demand in West Wales.

Bosses say the changes are designed to combine modern digital banking with a continued commitment to high street branches.

Chief Executive Alun Williams said the society remains focused on helping both borrowers and savers during a challenging economic period.

He said demand for mortgages and savings accounts has remained strong across Wales.

“Our continued growth in mortgage lending, savings balances and total assets has strengthened the foundations of the Society and ensures we remain well positioned to support members in achieving their home ownership and savings goals.”

Strong demand for mortgages

The society says its flexible lending approach has been particularly popular with borrowers.

During 2025 it approved £117.5 million in new mortgages, helping grow its overall mortgage book to £576.9 million.

Despite economic pressures, the organisation says borrowers are largely keeping up with repayments, with mortgage arrears remaining extremely low at just 0.33%.

Savings market remains competitive

At the same time, competition between banks and building societies for savers has intensified.

However, Swansea Building Society says it has continued to attract customers by offering competitive savings rates while maintaining long-term financial stability.

Savings balances increased during the year to £663.9 million, while the society’s total assets rose to £715.1 million.

The organisation also reported £6.2 million profit before tax, helping increase its financial reserves to £49.1 million.

Supporting communities across Wales

The mutual society says it remains committed to supporting communities and maintaining its branch network — something many banks have reduced in recent years.

During the year it supported a range of local initiatives and charities, including naming Prostate Cymru as its Charity of the Year.

Members will have the opportunity to vote on the society’s future plans at its Annual General Meeting at the Swansea.com Stadium on April 23, 2026, with the organisation donating £1 to Prostate Cymru for every vote received.

Williams added that the society’s future remains strong as it continues to grow.

“With a strong capital base, a high-quality mortgage book and a clear strategic focus, we are well positioned to continue supporting our members and communities in the years ahead.”

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Swansea Building Society continues Charity of the Year partnership with Prostate Cymru into 2026

The Society raised more than £25,000 for the charity during 2025, with colleagues taking part in a wide range of initiatives designed to promote prostate health awareness and support vital services.

Staff completed seven races throughout the year — including the Swansea Half Marathon, which alone raised £605 — while proudly wearing Prostate Cymru’s blue running tops to spark conversations around early diagnosis. Teams also participated in charity walks and supported awareness campaigns aimed at improving understanding of prostate cancer across local communities.

A key element of the partnership has been supporting access to early detection through subsidised PSA blood test days. During 2025, Swansea Building Society sponsored screening events in Cowbridge, Swansea and Carmarthen, enabling 1,134 men to be tested.

Of those, 63 received urgent ‘red letter’ referrals requiring immediate medical follow-up. Across six PSA testing days held to date — including those supported by the Society — 114 red letter results have been issued, highlighting the importance of accessible screening opportunities.

The Society will continue this work in 2026 by supporting further PSA testing events in Neath, Llanelli and Cardiff, with dates to be announced, helping extend access to potentially life-saving checks for men across South Wales.

The partnership carries particular personal significance for the organisation. In April 2024, Martin Lewis, the Society’s Area Manager for England, was diagnosed with prostate cancer after attending a Prostate Cymru testing event delivered in conjunction with Swansea City Football Club. Mr Lewis had not experienced any prior symptoms, reinforcing the importance of early testing and awareness.

Alun Williams, Chief Executive of Swansea Building Society, said:

“We are incredibly proud to continue our partnership with Prostate Cymru into 2026. The past year has shown the real difference that collective effort can make — not only through fundraising, but by raising awareness and encouraging important conversations around men’s health.

“Knowing that these initiatives are helping people access early diagnosis makes this partnership especially meaningful for everyone at the Society.”

Tina Tew, Chief Executive of Prostate Cymru, added:

“Swansea Building Society’s support has had a tangible impact, helping us reach more communities and provide access to testing that can genuinely save lives. Partnerships like this allow us to expand our work across Wales, raise awareness of prostate health and ensure more men have the opportunity to seek early advice and support.”

In recognition of its efforts, Swansea Building Society was named Corporate Fundraiser of the Year at the Prostate Cymru Blue Tie Ball in Cardiff. The Society will continue supporting fundraising and awareness campaigns throughout 2026 as part of its ongoing commitment to improving prostate health education and access to services across Wales.

Swansea Building Society raises five figure sum for Prostate Cymru and supports local causes over Christmas

The total donated to Prostate Cymru includes £605 raised directly by Swansea Building Society staff, who took part in the Swansea Half Marathon, alongside colleagues who completed a total of seven races throughout the year, proudly wearing blue Prostate Cymru running tops to raise awareness of prostate health and the importance of early diagnosis.

As families and communities come together over Christmas, the Society has also made a £2,500 donation to local foodbanks near each of its locations, helping to support individuals and families facing financial hardship during the winter months. The donation reflects the Society’s ongoing commitment to supporting those most in need at a time of year when demand for foodbank services is traditionally at its highest.

Throughout the year, Swansea Building Society colleagues have supported a wide range of other worthy causes through fundraising, volunteering and community action.

This has included celebrating Christmas Jumper Day with donations made to Mr X, hosting Macmillan Coffee Mornings, and supporting the Child of Wales Awards, which recognise and celebrate inspirational young people across Wales.

Several branches have led their own local initiatives, with the Cowbridge branch supporting Tŷ Hafan through multiple activities across the year.

Staff have also taken part in environmental and wellbeing projects, including a beach clean at Rhossili, which saw 17 members of staff volunteer their time, and a green initiative in support of Joseph’s Smile, which involved the planting of over 800 trees in Penllergare Valley Woods.

The Society also hosted an event and made a donation to Swansea Bay Health Charity in support of its Cwtch Clos appeal, while continuing to support a variety of other local charity outreach initiatives at branch level.

As a mutual organisation owned by its members, Swansea Building Society places community support at the heart of everything it does, encouraging colleagues to support causes that matter to them and the communities in which they live and work.

Alun Williams, Chief Executive of Swansea Building Society, said:

“As a mutual building society, supporting our communities is central to who we are. I am incredibly proud of the efforts of our colleagues throughout the year, whether fundraising for Prostate Cymru, volunteering their time, or helping to support local foodbanks during the Christmas period.

“At a time of year that is about kindness and togetherness, it’s important to us that we continue to give back to the communities that support us, and we’re grateful to everyone who has helped make such a positive impact in 2025.”

Dozens of lives potentially saved thanks to pop-up blood tests for prostate cancer

A partnership between Swansea Building Society and Prostate Cymru is already delivering life-saving results, with over 60 men receiving urgent medical referrals following subsidised prostate cancer screening events sponsored by the Society.

The PSA blood test days, which took place in Cowbridge, Swansea, and Carmarthen, saw more than 1,100 men tested – with 63 of those receiving a ‘red letter’ result indicating a potentially serious health concern requiring immediate follow-up. These figures represent more than just data points: they represent lives that may have been saved through early detection.

The partnership between Swansea Building Society and Prostate Cymru was first announced earlier this year, with the Society aiming to raise £25,000 for the charity during 2025. The decision to support Prostate Cymru was driven by a personal connection: in April 2024, Martin Lewis, the Society’s Area Manager for England was diagnosed with prostate cancer, without any prior symptoms, after attending one of the test days held in collaboration with Swansea City Football Club.

“Attending the Prostate Cymru test day was possibly one of the most important decisions of my life – though I didn’t know it at the time,” explained Mr Lewis, who is currently undergoing treatment. “Like many men, I had no symptoms and wouldn’t have thought to get tested. I urge others not to wait for symptoms – getting tested could make all the difference.”

The Society’s sponsorship has enabled Prostate Cymru to expand its reach and offer subsidised PSA blood testing to hundreds of men in South Wales, many of whom may never have otherwise considered being screened. In total, 1,134 men were tested across the three events, with the vast majority receiving either the all-clear or results indicating a low-to-moderate risk. However, the 63 red letter outcomes underscore the importance of these events – not only for those individuals, but for their families and communities as well.

Prostate Cymru confirmed that across six test days to date – including those supported by Swansea Building Society – a total of 114 red letter results have been issued. That figure represents a powerful impact, highlighting just how many lives could be positively affected or even saved through simple, early testing.

The charity expressed its gratitude to the Society for its commitment and hands-on involvement in every test day. Staff from across Swansea Building Society actively took part – not just in helping to run the events, but also in stepping forward to be tested themselves.

“We could not have contemplated such an ambitious series of days without your support,” said a spokesperson for Prostate Cymru. “It was fantastic to see so many of your staff involved – your commitment has made a genuine difference.”

Commenting on the results, Alun Williams, Chief Executive of Swansea Building Society, said: “We are incredibly proud to see the real and measurable impact our support for Prostate Cymru is already having. These results speak volumes about the importance of early detection and the power of community-based testing. To know that lives may have been saved thanks to these events is both humbling and motivating. We’re committed to continuing this partnership, raising awareness, and doing all we can to help the charity reach even more people across Wales.”

Looking ahead, Swansea Building Society say they will continue to raise funds and awareness through a full calendar of events in 2025. These include taking place in Prostate Cymru’s ‘The Big Walk’, where Society staff will participate in hikes in The Vale (July 5), Carmarthenshire (July 6) and Swansea (July 19). Other initiatives will be rolled out throughout the year to help meet the £25,000 fundraising target and further support the charity’s awareness and early detection efforts.

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