When Nationwide acquired Virgin Money a year ago, we didn't do what most companies do – close branches to cut costs. We did the opposite.

And today, we're proud to announce that every one of our 696 branches – whether Nationwide or Virgin Money - will remain open until at least 2030.

This isn't just a business decision. It's a statement of values.

It reflects our belief in the power of branches to deliver real value to our members and communities. We see branches not as legacy infrastructure, but vital for future service, support and trust.

Branches are more than bricks and mortar. For many, they are lifelines. Older customers, those living with dementia, and people who are digitally excluded rely on face-to-face banking.

Some say branches aren't commercially viable. Ours are thriving.

In towns where we've become the last one standing, people opening current account in branch has rocketed and ATM usage surged by 25 per cent. That's not decline – that's demand.

That's why we're investing in the High Street. This isn't just good for society – it's good business. Our branch strategy is commercially sound and socially impactful.

We've seen a 28 per cent rise in new current accounts being opened in branches, while new savings account openings in branch have jumped by more than 30 per cent. Indeed, market data shows that 68 per cent of all branch sales in the UK were through a Nationwide branch.

And it's not just banking that's better through branches. We host dementia clinics in over 200 branches as part of our aim to help over 100,000 people alongside Dementia UK.

We've created more than 400 safe spaces for domestic abuse support. And our scam checker service protected 800,000 customers from making more than £300,000 of fraud payments per month.

These services don't exist in an app. They exist in person, in communities, in branches.

Nationwide is a mutual, owned by our members. I've spent most of my career in the commercial sector, but I've found something special in mutuality – the 'secret sauce' I'd been searching for.

It's possible to be ambitious and commercially sharp while remaining truly purpose driven. That's what we're doing.

Our acquisition of Virgin Money expanded our reach. Together, we're supporting local economies and small businesses, bringing banking back to places that need it most. We're not just preserving the past – we're building the future.

But we can't do it alone. We need a collective approach to safeguarding access to cash and banking services. In return, Nationwide's promise is simple: we'll be there. In person. In your town. On your high street. Until at least 2030.

Because banking should be fairer, more rewarding, and for the good of society.