Building Society Roll Number | UK Banking Basics

In this article, we’re exploring the building society roll number, how it compares to account numbers, how you find your roll number and more.

We will also be answering common questions we receive from our members about roll numbers and UK banking more broadly.

This article is part of our free series on banking in the UK and opening a UK bank account without proof of address, which you can access by clicking here.

Feel free to use the table of contents to jump ahead to the sections most relevant to you.

Table of Contents

1. Building Society Roll Number
2. Are Building Societies Different From Banks?
3. How Do I Find My Building Society Roll Number?
4. Frequently Asked Questions
5. Do You Want Help Opening Bank Accounts?

Building Society Roll Number

A building society roll number is a membership number assigned to account holders at certain financial institutions in the United Kingdom known as building societies. Unlike an account number, which is used for account identification, a roll number is used for identifying membership details. 

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Are Building Societies Different From Banks?

Yes, building societies are different from banks in three key ways, which include ownership structure, areas of focus, and community focus. Here’s a closer look at each of these key differences.

Ownership Structure

While banks are owned by shareholders (privately or publicly) building societies are typically owned by their members who are also customers of the bank.

Areas of Focus

Building societies tend to offer a home-centric product offering including basic bank accounts and mortgages while banks tend to offer a wide range of services, including corporate and private lending, credit cards, business services, and more.

Community Focus

Banks tend to have regional and national coverage allowing them to serve a broad segment of prospective clients while building societies tend to be more focused on individual communities, geographies, or demographics.

How Do I Find My Building Society Roll Number?

You can find your building society roll number by accessing your account information through online banking, on any account statement, your membership card, and even account related emails. That said, there are other places where you can find your building society roll number as well, including the following.

How Do I Find My Building Society Roll Number?

1. Online banking
2. Account statement
3. Membership card
4. Mobile application
5. Visiting a branch in person
6. Emails from your building society
7. Check statements

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are four of the most common questions we receive from people looking into what a building society roll number is. If you have further questions you would like to ask our team, don’t hesitate to get in touch.

What Is a Building Society?

A building society is a financial institution that offers accounts, financing, and various banking products. In general, they operate in a similar way to banks, though they have different ownership structures, their areas of focus are more community-based, and they tend to emphasize membership ownership and shared principles.

Are Building Society Roll Numbers Used for International Money Transfers?

No, building society roll numbers are not used for international money transfers. Instead, they are used within the building society in order to direct funds and track member activities accordingly. When sending international money transfers, an international bank account number (IBAN) or a combination of SWIFT code and account number is used.

Does Everyone Have Building Society Roll Numbers?

No, not everyone has building society roll numbers. Only those individuals who have an account with a building society that specifically issues building society roll numbers to their members will have one.

Is a Building Society Number the Same As an Account Number?

No, a building society number (or a roll number) is not the same as an account number. Instead, a building society number is an identifier used internally by a building society to track the activity of an individual member. On the other hand, an account number is used to track the activity within a specific account.

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