SKIPTON Building Society donated over £1.3 million to good causes – including Keighley-district groups – last year.

Reviewing its 2022 performance, the society said it had also shared more of its financial success with members and employees.

The Skipton Group saw its pre-tax profits increase to £298.8m.

Membership rose by 54,563, to over 1.1 million.

Savings balances increased by a record 13.6 per cent, to £22.5bn.

And the group's mortgage portfolio also grew, reaching £25.5bn-plus – a 9.6 per cent rise.

Support was given to over 13,800 first-time buyers.

Stuart Haire, group chief executive, says: "Our performance in 2022 casts no doubt on just how valued member-ownership is, particularly during such unprecedented times for people.

"It is a privilege to lead a proven purpose-driven business."