West Brom Building Society has officially been recognised as a Certified B Corporation (B Corp).

B Corps are verified by B Lab and meet integrated social, environmental and governance standards.

To become certified, businesses undergo a detailed assessment across five key areas: governance, workers, community, environment and customers.

Each area looks at how a business operates and the positive impact it creates.

The criteria are part of B Lab’s approved framework for Certified B Corporations and must be met without overstating environmental or ethical claims.

The accreditation builds on work already underway, which includes offering free community rooms in selected branches, delivering financial education to nearly 3,000 students, supporting employment through its partnership with JERICHO and raising more than £1 million for Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

West Brom Building Society chief executive Jonathan Westhoff says: “We’re incredibly proud to have achieved B Corp certification. For us, this is not about a badge.”

“It reflects the way we’ve always tried to do business, putting our customers, colleagues and communities at the heart of every decision.”

“For more than 176 years, we’ve been here to support people through life’s big moments. Our colleagues play a huge part in making that happen, and their commitment and care, shape who we are as a mutual.”

“This recognition helps strengthen our purpose as a building society and reinforces our commitment to creating positive and lasting change in the communities we serve.”