Building societies take 27pc market share

During the period societies approved 103,000 transactions and advanced £15bn in gross new mortgage lending

Net lending accounted for nearly a third (32%) of the market at £3.8bn.

Robin Fieth, chief executive of the BSA, said: “Building societies have a great story to tell in terms of their two key areas of business – mortgages and savings.

“Despite growing competition, the sector is still performing well – offering competitive products that are being snapped up by first-time buyers, second steppers, self-builders and older borrowers.

“In fact, from 2012 to end of Q3 2015, building societies accounted for £56 billion (80%) of net lending out of a market total of £70bn.”