Britannia Building Society: Existing Accounts & Co-op Bank Help

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Independent UK Britannia & Co-operative Bank Guide

Britannia Building Society: Existing Accounts & Co-op Bank Help

If you are searching for Britannia Building Society because you still have an old passbook, savings account, Cash ISA, fixed-rate bond or mortgage, the most important update is that many former Britannia savings accounts have now been transferred to The Co-operative Bank and given new Co-operative Bank account details.

Britannia itself merged with The Co-operative Bank in 2009. The Bank has since simplified its savings range and says it will no longer offer Britannia savings accounts. This guide explains where existing Britannia customers should go now, how transferred accounts work, how to trace old money and what the proposed 2027 transfer to Coventry Building Society could mean.

Check Your Former Britannia Account Co-op Online Banking Help Old Britannia Account Mapping
Independent website and fraud warning: Building-society.org is not Britannia or The Co-operative Bank. We cannot see, trace, transfer, unlock or close your account. Never enter a password, PIN, verification code or full banking security information on this website. The Bank currently warns that criminals may use its proposed move to Coventry Building Society as a reason to ask customers to transfer money; the genuine organisations say they will not ask you to move money because of the proposed transfer.

Meaningful editorial review: 18 September 2026. This page reflects the current Britannia savings simplification and the proposed Co-operative Bank transfer to Coventry Building Society. Rates, service hours, account procedures and the proposed transfer can change, so verify important actions on the official Bank website.

Britannia Building Society: Quick Answers

Does Britannia still exist as a separate building society? No. Britannia Building Society transferred its business to The Co-operative Bank on 1 August 2009.
What happened to Britannia savings? The Bank has transferred Britannia savings customers to corresponding Co-operative Bank savings accounts.
Are new Britannia savings accounts available? No. The Co-operative Bank says it will no longer offer Britannia savings accounts.
Do old Britannia account numbers still apply? Transferred accounts receive a new Co-operative Bank sort code and account number.
Can old Britannia passbooks still be updated? No. For transferred accounts, the Bank says the old passbook can no longer be updated.
Main savings help 03457 212 212.
Existing mortgage support 08000 288 288.
Fraud or suspicious call Call 159 to connect securely to your bank’s fraud team.
Fast answer: if your old Britannia savings account has been transferred, manage it as the new Co-operative Bank account shown in your transfer letter or statement. If you cannot find an old Britannia account at all, the Bank can still help trace it even if you no longer know the account number.

What Do You Need to Do?

Transferred saver Find your new Co-op account

Check which Co-operative Bank product replaced your Britannia savings account and use the new account details.

View account mapping
Old passbook Work out whether it is still useful

Transferred accounts no longer use the Britannia passbook for routine updating.

Open passbook guidance
Lost savings Trace an old Britannia account

You do not necessarily need the old account number if you can provide enough identity and address history.

Trace an old account
Online access Register for Co-op digital banking

Use the new Co-operative Bank sort code and account number after your Britannia account has transferred.

Open digital-banking help
Mortgage Manage an existing mortgage

Use The Co-operative Bank’s existing mortgage customer service for balances, deal switches, overpayments and redemption requests.

Mortgage help
2027 change Understand the Coventry proposal

The Co-operative Bank is proposing to transfer its business to Coventry Building Society on 1 January 2027, subject to court approval.

Read what may change

What Happened to Britannia Building Society?

Britannia Building Society was once one of the UK’s largest building societies. On 1 August 2009, its business, assets and liabilities transferred to The Co-operative Bank following approval of the merger, and Britannia ceased to exist as a separate legal building society.

For many years, Britannia-branded savings and mortgage products continued to be serviced within The Co-operative Bank. The newer savings simplification programme has gone further: the Bank says Britannia and Co-operative Bank savings have been brought together under one Co-operative Bank brand and Britannia savings accounts will no longer be offered.

Before the current simplification

  • Customers could still hold Britannia-branded savings.
  • Many customers still used Britannia passbooks or legacy account numbers.
  • Britannia-specific terms and servicing information remained relevant.

After an account is transferred

  • The account becomes a corresponding Co-operative Bank savings product.
  • A new sort code and account number are issued.
  • The old Britannia passbook is no longer updated.
  • Customers gain access to supported Co-op online and mobile banking.

Official Britannia update Britannia Savings Simplification

After opening this link:

  1. Find the section showing your former Britannia product.
  2. Check the Co-operative Bank product it has been transferred to.
  3. Open the Summary of Changes for your old product where available.
  4. Compare account access, interest payment dates and withdrawal rules.
  5. Use the new Co-operative Bank account details issued to you after transfer.

Which Co-operative Bank Account Replaced Your Britannia Account?

The exact replacement depends on the Britannia product you held. The following examples cover several of the common products listed on the Bank’s current Britannia simplification page.

Old Britannia product
Co-operative Bank replacement
What to check now
Direct Saver
Smart Saver
New account details, current variable rate and payment instructions.
EasySaver
Smart Saver
Online/mobile registration and new incoming-payment details.
Flexible Savings / passbook versions
Smart Saver
Passbook no longer updates after transfer; check new access methods.
First Saver Plus
Smart Saver
New account details and current age/account-operating rules.
First Saver — younger customer
Future Fund
Check age, control of the account and withdrawal rules.
Select Access Saver
Select Access Saver 1
Check withdrawal-count rules and the current interest rate.
Britannia Cash ISA / Instant Access Cash ISA
Cash ISA 2
Check current tax-free rate, access and ISA transfer conditions.
Limited Access Cash ISA / Select Access Cash ISA
Cash ISA 3
Check access limits before withdrawing.
Fixed Rate Bond
Fixed Term Deposit
Refer to your welcome letter or statement for the applicable fixed rate and term.
Fixed Rate Cash ISA
Co-operative Bank Fixed Rate Cash ISA
Check your transferred account documentation and maturity date.
Savings Mortgage savings account
Offset Saver
Use the Bank’s offset mortgage/savings guidance because this account is linked to mortgage interest calculations.
Your transfer letter matters more than this summary. Some account versions, issue numbers or individual circumstances may differ. Use the personalised letter, statement and official Summary of Changes for your specific account.

Your Britannia Account Number May Have Changed

The Bank states that transferred Britannia savings customers receive a new Co-operative Bank sort code and account number. This matters for online banking registration, telephone banking and anyone who sends money into the account.

Locate the transfer or welcome letter.
Write down the new Co-operative Bank sort code.
Write down the new account number.
Update standing payments coming into the account.
Register for telephone banking if required.
Register for online/mobile banking using the new details.
Do not keep sending money to the old details without checking. The Bank specifically tells customers with incoming payments to provide the payer, employer, company, bank or building society with the new account details to avoid disruption.

Former Britannia Customers Can Now Use Co-op Online and Mobile Banking

One practical benefit of the savings transfer is wider digital access. The Bank says transferred customers can manage eligible savings through its online banking and mobile app as well as by telephone or in branch.

Check balances View eligible account balances without updating a Britannia passbook.
View statements Download or review supported statements, with paperless options available.
Transfer money Complete supported transfers according to the terms of your new account.
Secure messages Use secure online messages for account-specific enquiries instead of sending sensitive details through ordinary email.

Official online banking Co-operative Bank Online Banking

After opening this link:

  1. Choose registration if you have not used Co-operative Bank online banking before.
  2. Use the new sort code and account number issued after your Britannia transfer.
  3. Make sure you can access the mobile telephone number used for verification.
  4. Complete the official security questions and verification process.
  5. Once registered, check that the correct transferred savings account appears before sending money.
Online banking security: The Co-operative Bank says it will not email you a link asking you to log in or update security details. It also says it will not telephone you and ask you to read out a six-digit one-time passcode. If a code arrives for something you did not start, call 159.

What Happens to an Old Britannia Passbook?

If your Britannia savings account has transferred to a Co-operative Bank account, the Bank says you no longer need the old passbook and it can no longer be updated. Transaction information is instead provided through statements and supported digital banking.

Old Britannia approach

  • Passbook could record account transactions.
  • Some deposits and withdrawals relied heavily on branch or postal servicing.
  • Legacy Britannia account numbers were used.

Transferred Co-op account

  • Passbook is no longer updated.
  • Statements replace the passbook transaction record.
  • Online and mobile banking become available for supported accounts.
  • New Co-operative Bank account details apply.
Keep an old passbook, transfer letter and historical statement until you are satisfied that the new account is correct. They can be useful when checking old transactions or tracing an account, even though the passbook is no longer used for current servicing.

Important Payment Changes After a Britannia Account Transfers

Some old Britannia payment methods do not continue in exactly the same way on the new Co-operative Bank account. Check these points before assuming an old standing instruction will continue.

Incoming payments Give senders your new Co-operative Bank sort code and account number.
Direct Debit funding If the Britannia account was funded by Direct Debit, the Bank says this arrangement ended when the account transferred because this funding feature is not available on the replacement account.
Debit-card deposits The Britannia simplification guidance states that debit-card deposits are no longer available for the transferred accounts covered by that FAQ.
Electronic transfers Use the payment details belonging to the new Co-operative Bank account rather than historic Britannia payment instructions.
Old payment instructions can now be misleading. Historic Britannia leaflets may contain old pooled sort codes, references or passbook instructions. If your account has transferred, use the new account details provided by The Co-operative Bank.

How to Check the Interest Rate on a Former Britannia Savings Account

For most products, the Bank says the transfer itself did not change the interest rate. Where a rate did change as part of the transfer, customers were told in their notification. The correct rate now depends on the Co-operative Bank account you were transferred to.

Smart Saver Check the live Smart Saver information if your Britannia account moved to this product.
Select Access Check both the rate and withdrawal-count conditions.
Cash ISA Check the tax-free/AER rate and access rules for your specific replacement ISA.
Fixed account Use your welcome letter, statement or online banking to identify the fixed rate and maturity date.

Official savings rates Existing Co-operative Bank Savings Customers

After opening this link:

  1. Look for interest rates for existing savings accounts.
  2. If your replacement product is no longer available to new savers, use the withdrawn-product rate page.
  3. Match the exact Co-operative Bank replacement product shown in your Britannia transfer letter.
  4. For a fixed account, check the fixed rate shown in your account documents or secure online account.
  5. Do not use a new-customer promotional rate as the rate for a transferred account unless your own product terms confirm it.

Britannia Cash ISAs, Fixed Bonds and Child Accounts

The simplification programme covers more than ordinary easy-access savings. Britannia Cash ISAs, fixed-rate products and child savings also have Co-operative Bank replacements.

Cash ISA Several Britannia Cash ISA versions transferred to Cash ISA 2 or Cash ISA 3 depending on the original product.
Fixed Rate Bond Britannia Fixed Rate Bond customers are mapped to a Co-operative Bank Fixed Term Deposit.
Fixed Rate Cash ISA The replacement remains a Co-operative Bank Fixed Rate Cash ISA.
Child Trust Fund Britannia Child Trust Fund and Matured Child Trust Fund accounts have corresponding Co-operative Bank accounts.
ISA rule: if you want to move existing ISA money to another provider and preserve ISA status, use the receiving provider’s formal ISA transfer process rather than withdrawing the money to a normal current account first.

How to Trace a Lost or Forgotten Britannia Account

If you believe you once had a Britannia savings account but no longer know the account number, The Co-operative Bank says it can check whether an account exists. An account number is helpful but is not required to start the tracing enquiry.

Your full name.
Previous names, including a former surname.
Your date of birth.
Previous addresses since the account was opened.
Names of other joint account holders.
Approximate year the account was opened.
Useful reassurance: the Bank states that if money is in a lost or forgotten account, it remains yours regardless of how old the account is. Dormant-account balances may in some circumstances have been transferred to Reclaim Fund Ltd, but customers retain the right to reclaim their money.

Official lost-account route Trace a Former Britannia Account

After opening this link:

  1. Open the Frequently Asked Questions section.
  2. Find the question about a lost or forgotten Britannia account.
  3. Prepare your name, date of birth and previous addresses.
  4. Call 03457 212 212 or visit a Co-operative Bank branch.
  5. If the Bank cannot locate the account immediately, ask what further tracing steps are available.
  6. You can also consider the free My Lost Account service for broader UK account tracing.

Existing Britannia Mortgage Customers: Use Co-operative Bank Mortgage Help

Existing mortgage customers should now use The Co-operative Bank’s mortgage-management routes. Available services include checking mortgage details, switching an expiring deal, requesting a redemption statement, moving home, borrowing more, making changes and getting help if repayments become difficult.

View mortgage details Check balance, interest rate, remaining term, repayment basis and whether an Early Repayment Charge applies.
Switch deal Existing borrowers may be able to switch online or by telephone, depending on eligibility.
Move home Ask whether the existing mortgage can move with you and whether further affordability checks apply.
Borrow more Additional borrowing remains subject to credit assessment, affordability and lending criteria.
Redemption statement Use the formal redemption-statement route when paying off or refinancing the mortgage.
Payment difficulty Contact the mortgage team before missed payments accumulate.

Official mortgage help Manage an Existing Co-operative Bank Mortgage

After opening this link:

  1. Choose the task that matches your mortgage: balance, switch, overpayment, move, additional borrowing or redemption.
  2. Have your mortgage account number available.
  3. Check your current deal end date and any Early Repayment Charge before switching.
  4. Use the new-deal and overpayment calculators only as illustrations.
  5. For account-specific advice or a mortgage review, call 08000 288 288.
Mortgage risk: your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. Contact the Bank early if you are worried about future payments rather than cancelling a Direct Debit without discussing the consequences.

FSCS Protection for Former Britannia Savings

Once a Britannia savings account has been transferred into a Co-operative Bank savings product, it is a deposit with The Co-operative Bank. The Bank currently states that eligible deposits held with The Co-operative Bank and smile are protected under one standard FSCS limit of £120,000 per eligible person.

£120,000 Current standard protection per eligible depositor with The Co-operative Bank.
£240,000 Potential standard total for an eligible two-person joint account, because each person has their own limit.
Co-op + smile Eligible deposits across these brands share the Bank’s standard limit.
Former Britannia Transferred Britannia savings are now Co-operative Bank accounts rather than a separate Britannia deposit pot.
Large-balance check: do not assume an old Britannia history gives you a separate FSCS allowance in addition to a Co-operative Bank account. Work from the legal provider holding the deposit now.

Important 2026 Update: Co-operative Bank’s Proposed Transfer to Coventry Building Society

Coventry Building Society purchased The Co-operative Bank on 1 January 2025. The Bank is now proposing a further legal transfer of its business to Coventry Building Society on 1 January 2027, subject to court approval.

The Bank’s current plan says customers should continue managing their accounts normally. If the transfer becomes effective, Coventry Building Society would become responsible for Co-operative Bank accounts and products, while The Co-operative Bank and smile names are expected to continue as trading names.

2 December 2026 Current scheduled court hearing to decide whether to approve the proposed transfer.
1 January 2027 Expected transfer date if the proposal receives court approval.
0800 028 4321 Published number for questions about or objections to the proposed transfer.
No money movement required The Bank says customers are not required to move funds simply because of the proposed transfer.
Future FSCS change if approved: the Bank says that after the proposed transfer, eligible deposits held across The Co-operative Bank, smile and Coventry Building Society would share a single £120,000 FSCS limit per eligible person. This is especially important if you already hold significant savings with Coventry Building Society.

Official 2027 proposal Co-operative Bank and Coventry Building Society Transfer Information

After opening this link:

  1. Read the customer summary explaining the proposed legal transfer.
  2. If you also hold Coventry Building Society savings, read the FSCS section carefully.
  3. Open the customer booklet and FAQs for account-specific implications.
  4. If you wish to raise a question or objection, use the official form or telephone number before the court hearing deadline.
  5. Do not transfer money because an unexpected caller says the 2027 change requires it.

Britannia / Co-operative Bank Contact Numbers and Head Office

Former Britannia savings customers are now generally directed through Co-operative Bank servicing. Use the mortgage number for mortgage-specific enquiries rather than the general savings line.

Reason
Telephone
Current guidance
Savings / transferred Britannia account
03457 212 212
Published general hours include Monday–Friday 8am–6pm and Saturday/Sunday 9am–5pm.
Existing mortgage
08000 288 288
Current mortgage support pages publish weekday servicing hours; check the live page before calling.
Fraud / suspicious contact
159
Use a different device from the one a suspected scammer used if possible.
2027 Coventry transfer questions
0800 028 4321
Published transfer-help hours: Monday–Friday 9am–6pm.

The Co-operative Bank Registered Office

Address:
1 Balloon Street
Manchester
M4 4BE
United Kingdom

General current-account and savings support:
03457 212 212

This is the Bank’s registered office. It is not necessarily the nearest location for cash, identity checks or face-to-face account servicing. Use the official branch finder before travelling.

Open 1 Balloon Street in Google Maps

Official branches Find a Co-operative Bank Branch

After opening this link:

  1. Choose the region containing your nearest branch.
  2. Open the specific branch details.
  3. Check current opening hours and temporary 2026 refurbishment closures.
  4. If your request involves bereavement, Power of Attorney or a complicated old Britannia account, consider booking an appointment.
  5. Call ahead if you need a specialist service rather than routine banking.

Fraud and Scam Safety for Former Britannia Customers

Account migrations and the proposed Coventry transfer create opportunities for convincing impersonation scams. A criminal may know that you were a Britannia customer and use genuine public information about the transfer to make a false call appear credible.

Stop if someone asks you to

  • Move savings because your Britannia account is “being migrated”.
  • Transfer money to a “safe” Co-op or Coventry account.
  • Read out a one-time passcode.
  • Reveal your full password or PIN.
  • Install remote-access software.
  • Use a login link contained in an unexpected message.

Do this instead

  • End the unexpected call.
  • Use a different phone if possible.
  • Call 159 for secure fraud routing.
  • Check your account through the official Bank app or website.
  • Keep messages, telephone numbers and payment details as evidence.

Official fraud help Report Fraud to The Co-operative Bank

After opening this link:

  1. If fraud may be happening now, contact the Bank immediately rather than reading every guidance page first.
  2. Call 159, preferably from a different device from the one used by the suspected scammer.
  3. Explain whether you disclosed security details or actually sent money.
  4. Follow instructions for securing digital banking and any affected account.
  5. Keep your fraud reference and copies of suspicious messages.
The Bank says 159 will not telephone you. If someone claims they are “calling from 159”, treat that contact as suspicious.

Common Britannia Account Problems After the Transfer

“My old passbook will not update” This is expected after a transferred account becomes a Co-operative Bank account.
“A payment has not arrived” Check whether the sender is still using your old Britannia payment details.
“I cannot register online” Make sure you are using the new Co-operative Bank sort code and account number and the mobile details held by the Bank.
“My Direct Debit stopped funding savings” The Bank says Direct Debit funding ended for transferred accounts where that feature is not supported on the replacement product.
“I cannot deposit by debit card anymore” The current simplification FAQ says debit-card deposits are not available on the transferred accounts covered by that guidance.
“I do not recognise my new account name” Use the official mapping table to match the original Britannia product to its Co-operative Bank replacement.
“I found an old Britannia account book” Call the Bank or use its lost-account process rather than assuming the money has disappeared.
“Someone called about Coventry” Do not move money because of an unsolicited transfer-related call. Verify independently through the official Bank website.

Before You Contact the Bank: Prepare These Details

Old Britannia account or mortgage number, if known.
New Co-operative Bank account details, if already transferred.
Your full current name and any former names.
Current and previous addresses.
Date of birth.
Approximate date the Britannia account was opened.
Latest transfer letter or statement.
Details of the exact problem you are trying to fix.

Related UK Building Society Guides

These related pages may help if you are comparing another mutual or trying to understand how legacy building-society brands are managed today.

Nationwide Building Society: Mortgages, Savings & Help Yorkshire Building Society: Savings, Mortgages & Online Banking Chelsea Building Society: YBS Accounts, Rates & Customer Help Family Building Society: Savings, Mortgages & Account Guide

Official Britannia and Co-operative Bank Resources

Use the official service that matches your real task. Old Britannia documents can still help identify an account, but current rates and procedures should be checked on The Co-operative Bank website.

Britannia Savings Simplification Existing Savings Customers Savings Help & Support Online Banking Contact The Co-operative Bank Branch Finder Existing Mortgage Customers Check Mortgage Details Mortgage Redemption Statement Fraud & Security Report Fraud Proposed Coventry Building Society Transfer Complaints & Feedback

How This Britannia Building Society Guide Was Checked

2009 Britannia / Co-operative Bank merger position checked.
Current Britannia savings simplification checked.
Account replacement mapping reviewed.
New account-number rules checked.
Passbook change checked.
Incoming-payment guidance checked.
Lost Britannia account process reviewed.
Current online banking requirements checked.
Existing mortgage servicing routes reviewed.
Current £120,000 FSCS limit checked.
2027 Coventry transfer proposal checked.
Fraud and 159 guidance checked.

Review date: 18 September 2026. Static account-rate tables have deliberately been avoided because rates can change and the rate applying to a transferred account depends on the replacement product and individual account documentation.

Independent Financial Information Notice

Building-society.org is an independent informational website. It is not Britannia, The Co-operative Bank, Coventry Building Society, the Financial Conduct Authority, the Prudential Regulation Authority, the Financial Services Compensation Scheme or the Financial Ombudsman Service.

This website cannot access your account, find a balance, change payment details, unlock online banking, approve a mortgage, recover money or provide personalised regulated financial advice. Use the Bank’s official secure services whenever personal or financial information is required.

Verify before acting: savings rates, mortgage rates, service hours, branch availability, account-transfer procedures, FSCS arrangements and the proposed 2027 legal transfer may change. Confirm material decisions through the current official source.

Britannia Building Society FAQs

1. Does Britannia Building Society still exist?

Britannia no longer exists as a separate building society. Its business transferred to The Co-operative Bank on 1 August 2009. Britannia-branded products continued for years afterward, but the Bank is now transferring Britannia savings customers to Co-operative Bank savings accounts and says Britannia savings accounts will no longer be offered.

2. What happened to my Britannia savings account?

The Co-operative Bank has been moving Britannia savings customers onto corresponding Co-operative Bank products. The exact replacement depends on the old product. Examples include Smart Saver, Select Access Saver 1, Cash ISA 2, Cash ISA 3, Fixed Term Deposit and Future Fund.

3. Is my Britannia account number still valid?

For an account that has transferred, the Bank says you receive a new Co-operative Bank sort code and account number. Use those new details for online banking registration and give them to anyone who needs to make future payments into the account.

4. Can I still use my Britannia passbook?

The Bank says passbooks for transferred accounts can no longer be updated. The replacement Co-operative Bank account can instead be managed through supported branch, telephone, online and mobile banking services, with transaction statements replacing normal passbook updating.

5. How do I trace an old Britannia account if I have lost the account number?

Call The Co-operative Bank on 03457 212 212 or visit a branch. The Bank says an account number is not required to begin tracing, but you should provide information such as your full name, former names, date of birth, previous addresses, joint-holder names and an approximate opening date.

6. What is the phone number for former Britannia savings customers?

The main Co-operative Bank number used for savings and former Britannia account help is 03457 212 212. Current published general service hours are Monday to Friday 8am–6pm and Saturday and Sunday 9am–5pm, although specialist and automated services can have different hours.

7. How do I manage an old Britannia mortgage?

Use The Co-operative Bank’s existing mortgage customer services. The Bank provides routes for checking mortgage details, switching deals, moving home, borrowing more, requesting a redemption statement and discussing repayment difficulty. Its existing mortgage support number is 08000 288 288.

8. How much of my transferred Britannia savings is protected by FSCS?

Transferred Britannia savings are held as Co-operative Bank accounts. The Bank currently states that eligible deposits held with The Co-operative Bank and smile share a standard FSCS limit of £120,000 per eligible person.

9. What is happening to The Co-operative Bank in 2027?

The Bank is proposing to transfer its business to Coventry Building Society on 1 January 2027, subject to court approval. A court hearing is currently scheduled for 2 December 2026. Customers should use the official transfer page for the latest status and any FSCS implications.

10. Is Building-society.org the official Britannia or Co-operative Bank website?

No. Building-society.org is an independent informational website. Use co-operativebank.co.uk and the Bank’s official secure services whenever you need to access an account, submit personal information, transfer money, manage a mortgage or report fraud.

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