Technology is changing what members expect, how firms work and how financial services compete. Building societies must judge where to adapt, what to keep distinct and where working together could help the sector respond. AI is part of that change, alongside shifting member and broker expectations, pressure on skills and systems, new risks and the need to deliver transformation while protecting trust and human service.  The BSA Digital Symposium is for people across the sector who are leading, planning or delivering transformation projects and looking ahead to what comes next. It will bring together practical experience, emerging ideas and open debate on AI, wider change and collaboration. Delegates will leave with new ideas to test in their own work, lessons from societies already making change and fresh contacts for sharing problems and possible solutions.    The symposium will tackle three themes:  ADAPT | AI - Explore how societies are using and managing AI now, what they have learnt in practice, and what an AI mutual could become: fairer decisions, more flexible products and trusted support, with people in the moments that need judgement.  SHARE | TRANSFORMATION - Hear what societies are doing now, what has worked, what has proved hard and what others can use.  THRIVE | COLLABORATION AND RENEWAL - Decide what each society must own, what the sector could share and where joint systems, skills or services could give mutuals greater reach.  Detailed programme content and speakers will be updated here as and when confirmed. (Registration closes at 17:00 on Thursday, 19 November 2026) Cancellation policy

New research conducted by researches at Brunel University of London and the University of Essex, and supported by the Building Societies Association, explores what Open Banking means for building societies and the communities they serve.

As AI moves from experimentation into everyday use, effective governance is becoming increasingly important. This guest blog explores how building societies can use proportionate controls, clear accountability and ongoing monitoring to scale AI safely, support good member outcomes and encourage innovation.

A free event in London hosted by fintechOS    Elevate ’26 brings together building society, banking, insurance and technology leaders to explore how AI can drive real product innovation in financial services.   Hear from John Penberthy-Smith, Chief Commercial Officer at Saffron Building Society, and Darren Ditchburn, CEO of Vernon Building Society, alongside Rania Svoronou of Citi, Paroma Chatterjee of Revolut India and other industry voices. Through practical use cases, live demos and candid conversations, discover how AI can help financial institutions modernise, improve customer experiences and rethink how products are built, priced, distributed and operated — moving beyond the hype to practical impact. Who should attend? Elevate ’26 is particularly relevant for building society leaders and decision-makers responsible for strategy, transformation, product, mortgages, technology, operations, customer experience and innovation. Join peers from across the sector to explore practical approaches to modernisation, mortgage and product innovation, customer experience and AI adoption, and hear first-hand perspectives from building society leaders tackling these priorities today. Elevate ’26 is invitation-only and free to attend. Registrations are subject to confirmation.

The latest commentary on the UK economy, mortgage and savings markets.

Gareth Madeley, Chief Customer Officer, West Brom Building Society, introduces the Society's recent partnership with The Albion Foundation and explains how the greatest community impact can come from listening to and working alongside organisations that already have the trust, expertise and relationships to make a difference.