Nationwide Ranked as a Five-Star Business in Latest Corporate Responsibility Index

Nationwide has been awarded Business in the Community's highest five-star ranking in its annual benchmark of responsible business – the Corporate Responsibility Index (CR Index).

The Index, published today (20th April), is used by Business in the Community to help companies across the UK measure and manage the progress they're making to integrate responsible practice at all levels of their business. Each contributing company goes through a rigorous process which benchmarks them against a diverse range of factors, from how engaged their board and senior managers are with responsible business issues to the link between workplace and corporate responsibility.

Nationwide's five-star performance builds on results from 2014 and puts the company at the highest levels of the Index. With an overall score of 99% - well above the average score of 91%, Nationwide has demonstrated continued progress in areas such as taking environmental and social issues into account when developing new products.

Nationwide Chief Executive Graham Beale said: "We're delighted to have secured the five-star ranking in this year's Corporate Responsibility Index. It's a huge achievement for Nationwide and shows how our commitment to doing the right thing runs across all areas of the Society. Whether we're paying the Living Wage, supporting our members through best-in-class customer service, or creating an inclusive and exciting workplace for our employees, we see corporate responsibility as a way to show there's a better way to do business."

Today's announcement of the 2015 CR Index has been timed to coincide with Responsible Business Week (20-26 April 2015), which is an annual celebration of the positive contribution business can make to society.

Stephen Howard, Chief Executive, Business in the Community said: "The 2015 CR Index shows us that we are moving in the right direction and companies are now increasingly integrating responsible business practice into decision making right across the business. To truly change business culture, companies need to engage their people to embrace a different way of doing business with responsible values at the core. So it is especially encouraging this year that we have seen a significant increase in the representation of corporate responsibility, both at board level and amongst the generation of future leaders that will shape the businesses of tomorrow.

"I congratulate Nationwide for achieving its ranking and look forward to working together to create a fairer society and a more sustainable future."

For further information about the 2015 CR Index including the full list of 2015 ranked companies, visit www.bitc.org.uk/crindex.

About Nationwide Nationwide is the world's largest building society as well as one of the largest savings providers and a top-three provider of mortgages in the UK. It is also a major provider of current accounts, credit cards,ISAs and personal loans. Nationwide has around 15 million customers.

Customers can manage their finances in a branch, via the mobile app, on the telephone, internet and post. The Society has around 17,000 employees. Nationwide's head office is in Swindon with administration centres based in Northampton, Bournemouth and Dunfermline. The Society also has a number of call centres across the UK.