Darlington Building Society steams past £1bn asset milestone

22 October 2025

Darlington Building Society has passed another landmark in a year defined by milestones with total assets now exceeding £1 billion for the first time in its 169-year history.

The achievement follows a year of celebration for the mutual, marking 250 years since the start of the building society movement, 200 years since the world’s first passenger railway, and surpassing £1 million in charitable donations through its 5% Profits Pledge.

Over the past seven years, Darlington has grown total assets by 64%, achieving a healthy balance between savers and borrowers and now serving almost 92,000 members, predominantly across the North East. The growth cements its position among the UK’s top 20 building societies by asset size.

The Darlington Building Society launched the 1825 Railway Saver in September 2025 to coincide with the bicentenary of the Stockton and Darlington Railway. The railway opened on 27 September 1825, and this product honours its historical significance, a celebration of Darlington’s proud heritage and pioneering spirit.

Meanwhile, the Society has been shortlisted once again for ‘Best Self & Custom Build Mortgage Lender’ at the 2025 Build It Awards, marking the fourth consecutive year of recognition in this highly competitive category. Having won in 2021, 2022 and 2023, Darlington continues to set the standard for self-build lending, combining expert manual underwriting with flexible, borrower-focused criteria.

Chief Executive Andrew Craddock said:

“Size does matter. The greater the level of assets, the more interest income we can generate to cover running costs, invest in our people and communities, provide competitive products, and maintain strong reserves. This milestone enhances the Society’s long-term resilience and sustainability.”

Craddock added: “This achievement is the culmination of many years of careful, member-focused decision making. It puts us in a strong financial position for the future, and I’m incredibly proud of our colleagues and members who’ve made this possible.”

For more information:

Visit Darlington Building Society at https://www.darlington.co.uk/