Are you currently considering The Family Building Society as a later-life mortgage provider?

The market is filled with numerous options, making the selection process quite daunting.

However, there's no need to fret; we're here to simplify this journey for you.

At SovereignBoss, our research team has spent countless hours reviewing equity release information and putting it together in an easy-to-use format.

Find out more here!

NOTE: SovereignBoss is an impartial, unaffiliated and unconnected third-party information provider via this website, and the details replicated in this commentary represent the opinions of SovereignBoss only and may not reflect the views or opinions of The Family Building Society. This article must not be interpreted as advice, nor is it a solicitation to conduct transactions in any financial product provided by The Family Building Society.

What Is Equity Release?

Equity release allows homeowners to unlock property value through lifetime mortgages and home reversion schemes.

The Family Building Society does not offer equity release or lifetime mortgage services.

Understanding financing options and selecting the right plan is crucial.

Other providers specializing in equity release should be considered.

Read More: Equity Release: Everything You Need to Know in 2025

Who Is The Family Building Society?

The Family Building Society is a banking institution that focuses on meeting the unique financial needs of families.

It offers a range of products, including savings accounts and mortgages, to support financial planning and legacy building.

Founded in 1896, it was launched in 2014 and emphasizes personalized service and community values over equity release or lifetime mortgages.

Does The Family Building Society Have an Alternative to an Equity Release Calculator?

The Family Building Society has an affordability calculator which you can find on its website.

If you are looking for an equity release calculator though, why not try the one below for an approximate figure?

Customer Reviews

It is always a good idea to find out what other customers think of their provider before you decide.

Here are customer reviews for you to consider.

• The Family Building Society customer reviews on UK.TrustPilot.com
• Review of The Family Building Society available on SmartMoneyPeople.com
• The Family Building Society Reviewed on ProtectionReview.co.uk

Why Consider The Family Building Society?

You could consider The Family Building Society because it is an award-winning building society that does things differently.

It offers flexible mortgage and savings products for the modern family.

No matter your age, your story matters.

It continues to innovate, yet aims to retain a human touch to lending by manually underwriting all of its mortgages and providing personal advice on a variety of solutions to fit the unique needs of all its shrewd savers.

Join a family of over 47,000 account holders throughout England and Wales that benefit from the personal service and innovative products of this mutual Building Society.

The Family Building Society is owned by and run for the benefit of our members since 1896 and is a trading name of National Counties Building Society.²

What Are The Pros and Cons of The Family Building Society?

The advantages of The Family Building Society include the fact that it accepts clients up to the age of 89. 

If you are specifically looking for an equity release plan however, a con is that it will not be able to help. 

Advantages of The Family Building Society:

• You do not need to be retired to apply, but you must be over 65.
• Income earned up to 70 is considered on application. 
• It is a multi-award-winning lender.³
• Lending is considered on an individual basis.

Disadvantages of The Family Building Society:

• The minimum age requirement is 65.
• It does not do equity release.
• If you miss a payment on your RIO mortgage, you could face penalties.
• Your monthly financial obligations will increase due to loan repayments.

The Family Building Society Complaints

If you are dissatisfied with The Family Building Society and want to make a complaint, the first place to start is with the staff member in question or their direct manager.

Alternatively, you can contact the company by letter, email or phone.

Address: 
Family Building Society, Ebbisham House, 30, Church Street, Epsom, Surrey, KT17 4NL

Telephone: 
03330 140146

By email:
mortgage.service@familybsoc.co.uk

The alternative option, if you choose to use one, is a review site like Trustpilot or Feefo, is to provide an assessment.

How Did We Review the Information on The Family Building Society and Equity Release?

We reviewed The Family Building Society based on the following:

• Reputation and History – How many years they have been in business, customer reviews, and industry rewards received.
• Financial Strength – Ensuring it is going strong and has adequate funds to meet long-term commitments.
• Product Range – We favour companies offering a variety of equity release schemes with greater product flexibility.
• Interest Rates and Fees – We review competitive rates compared to industry averages and they must be fully transparent about rates and fees without hidden costs.
• Customer Service and Support – When and how it is available, response times, and available online educational resources. As well as online tools, like a calculator.
• Code of Conduct and Compliance – We only consider companies that adhere to recognised industry standards and codes.
• Industry Insights and Peer Reviews – We care about a company’s industry-wide reputation.
• Innovation and Technology – Is there a streamlined, digital application process?
• Client Testimonials – Success stories and the complaints resolution process.

As an unaffiliated, third-party reviewer, our review of The Family Building Society's information is independent.

What Are The Family Building Society's Equity Release Alternatives’ Interest Rates?

Interest rates are granted on a case-to-case basis and are product and plan-dependent.

Annual interest on equity release products however, can be available from as low as 5.97% to 6.28%* AER.

View the latest equity release rates here.

Have a look at all the equity release schemes available on the market, with our easy-to-use table.

*While we regularly review our rates, these may have changed since our last update.

What Are The Family Building Society's Fees?

The Family Building Society’s fees are made up of costs such as valuation and advice fees.

More information on its fees.

• Valuation fees⁴ – charged on new applications.
• Application fees – £175 will be charged for applications.
• Solicitors fees – you must pay your own solicitor directly.
• Advice fees – financial advisors charge their own fees, which you must pay for.

As a general rule, the fees for equity release normally average between £1,500 to £3,000 in total, and you would probably be wise to save for a similar amount when considering an RIO mortgage.

Learn More About The Family Building Society

National Counties Building Society, which has been safely managing people’s money and assisting homebuyers since 1896, is known as The Family Building Society.

It provides a professional service to over 47,000 consumers⁵ in England and Wales from its headquarters in Epsom, Surrey.

Because it is a mutual building society, it is owned and administered for the benefit of its savings and borrowing members.

It has no shareholders, and all of its revenues are reinvested in the Society to benefit its members.

It's goal is to be the first choice for mortgages and savings for families.

The Family Building Society believes that families who work together across generations should have access to savings and mortgage options backed by exceptional personal service and cutting-edge products.

FCA Details

Current Trading Names

• The Family Building Society
• NCBS
• National Counties Building Society

FCA Permitted Services

• Banking
• Insurance
• Mortgages and Home Finance
• Pensions
• Investments

Regulators

• Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)⁶
• Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA)⁷

Registration Numbers

• FCA Ref Number: 206080
• Mutual Society Number: 218B

FCA Link

• FCA Link: FCA Link
• Mutuals Public Register: 218B

The Family Building Society Contact Number and Address

• +44 333 014 0141
• newbusiness@familybsoc.co.uk
• Ebbisham House, 30 Church St, Epsom KT17 4NL, United Kingdom.

Common Questions

Conclusion

If you are looking for financial services, the Family Building Society may be the right fit for you.

It is authorised and regulated in the UK by the FCA and must follow the strict guidelines in place.

It is not only award-winning, but clients have largely positive things to say about the service and personnel.

The Family Building Society cannot be cited as equity release's best company as it does not provide equity release, but it may have other options your financial advisor can recommend.

The features mentioned and the amounts raised, are subject to the lender’s criteria, terms and conditions. These may take into account the age, health and lifestyle factors in order to provide an enhanced amount. To understand the features and risks, ask for a personalised illustration.