NATIONWIDE Building Society has been named the best bank or building society in the UK to work for.

The mutual employs around 700 people at Richmond Hill in Bournemouth and has branches across the area.

It was named 11th in the Sunday Times’ list of the Top 25 Big Companies, announced at the 2014 Best Companies to work for celebration in London.

Nationwide, the UK’s biggest mutual, was the only bank or building society on the list and was given a two-star, or ‘outstanding’, rating by Best Companies, the organisation that produces the annual list.

A total of 72 per cent of employees said they loved working for Nationwide and 86 per cent believed people in their team went out of their way to help.

In all, 85 per cent felt their manager talked openly and honestly with them and 87 per cent said the society had a strong social conscience.

Nationwide chief executive Graham Beale said: “We are delighted that we have been named in the Sunday Times’ list.

“Our people are our biggest asset and they play a leading role in helping meet the needs of our members.

“As the best bank or building society to work for, our people have helped position Nationwide as a compelling alternative to the established banks.”