Nationwide Building Society has launched a major new initiative designed to make the UK's financial landscape fairer, pledging a substantial £25 million in funding to support female entrepreneurs.
Addressing a Stark Investment Disparity
The mutual will channel the funds through the Invest in Women Taskforce (IWT), a partnership aimed directly at closing the pronounced investment gap faced by women in business. The society highlighted that while female-led ventures deliver, on average, 35% better returns on investment than those led solely by men, they attract a mere 2% of venture capital funding. In stark contrast, male-only businesses receive 81%.
Barriers persist throughout the investment process, with men being twice as likely to reach the critical investment committee stage. This systemic issue significantly limits opportunities for women to present their cases and secure the capital needed to grow their enterprises.
A Vision for Inclusive Growth
This partnership is a core part of Nationwide's broader commitment to fostering a more inclusive banking sector. Dame Debbie Crosbie DBE, Nationwide's Group Chief Executive Officer, stated: "Driving economic growth is one of the country’s most urgent priorities. Female-led businesses consistently deliver strong returns yet remain underrepresented in investment portfolios."
She added: "We are the first large-scale mutual to offer business banking in the UK and we want to make banking fairer and more inclusive. Our new partnership with the Invest in Women Taskforce will help close the funding gap, fuel innovation and drive the economic growth that everyone benefits from."
Unlocking Potential for a Balanced Economy
The announcement coincides with the launch of Nationwide's new 1-year Triple Access ISA and Saver products, available online and in branch with a rate of 3.50%. However, the focus remains squarely on long-term, structural change for business funding.
Hannah Bernard OBE, Co-Chair of the IWT, welcomed the move: "I’m delighted that Nationwide is now an anchor investor with the Invest in Women Taskforce. Its support will unlock the potential of female-led businesses, which are core to building a growing and more balanced economy."
By becoming an anchor investor, Nationwide aims to directly channel vital funds to high-potential female-led businesses that have historically struggled to secure backing, positioning support for women entrepreneurs as a key driver for national economic growth.
