. Based in Bristol in the English west country with vast majority of branches south of Watford;

. Ninth largest British building society;

. 2,100 employees, including 1,000 in Bristol head office;

. 1.2 million savings accounts;

. 182,000 mortgage accounts;

. 159 branches;

. 24 hour 365 days a year direct savings subsidiary;

. Channel Island offshore banking subsidiary;

. Representative office in Hong Kong;

. £7 billion in mortgages, including £1 billion in commercial mortgages;. assets £8.6 billion;

. £6 billion in retail savings;

. reserves £358 million;

. net assets £360 million;

. pre tax profits of £77.1 million last year before a £31.9 million write off for Hampton's estate agency;

. after tax profits £19.9 million;

. cost/income ratio 45 per cent on continuing business.