SILSDEN-based Ecology Building Society has announced record results.

Assets, gross and net lending and savings last year all reached unprecedented levels.

The society loaned over £42 million for sustainable properties and projects.

Of its mortgages, 95 per cent were advanced on residential properties – including new builds and renovations – and five per cent on developments for community gain.

Its assets totalled £145.9m, up from £137.9m in 2014

And savings balances surged to £134.7m, compared to £129.1m the previous year.

"We're proud to be at the forefront of the most exciting type of finance there could be – using money to make a positive difference for people and planet," said Ecology chief executive Paul Ellis.

"Our results prove that our approach to ethical values-based banking is more relevant than ever and demonstrate how we are delivering on our mission to build a greener society.

"Throughout 2015 we retained our commitment to focus on lending for positive environmental and social impact.

"Our record levels of lending represent a significant increase in our positive impact."

The society's net lending passed the £25m milestone for the first time.

Its net profits reached £881,000 – up from £566,000 in 2014.

Mr Ellis, who has overseen a massive asset increase of more than £120m since his appointment in 1995, said that throughout last year the society had maintained a commitment to ethical business practices.

"We received accreditation as a full living wage employer – which built on our longstanding commitment to a fair pay ratio – and recently became the first building society to be awarded the Fair Tax Mark which sets a benchmark for responsible tax behaviour," he added.

"We believe that fair payment of tax is an important part of our contribution to society and helps reduce inequalities which have an environmental cost.

"While tax remains a controversial area for many, as an ethical business with mutual values at our heart we are proud to be the first building society to be awarded the Fair Tax Mark.

"The award was a further demonstration of our ethical approach."

The society began trading from an upstairs office at Cross Hills in 1981, when ten people put in £500 each.

Within four years, it had more than 1,000 investors and assets of £1.25m.