SWINDON-BASED Nationwide Building Society has scooped two awards at the UK Financial Services Experience Awards.

At the ceremony on Wednesday the organisation was recognised for the way customers manage their financial affairs by introducing innovative technology – Nationwide NOW, which connects customers in branches to financial consultants based across the UK.

The introduction of the service has considerably reduced waiting times to see a consultant from an average of two weeks to the same day where capacity allows.

Nationwide is the first financial services provider in Europe to use this technology in this way.

Mark Goldman, the divisional director of central distribution at Nationwide Building Society, said: “We are delighted to have won this award.

"We are uncompromising on our standards of customer service and are continually looking at ways to improve.

"By combining the service provided by our employees in branch and the use of innovative technology, Nationwide NOW is able to increase more immediate access to our experts and offer flexibility for our customers.”

The face-to-face service, which is available at the branch in the Parade, is just like sitting at a desk with a consultant. The only difference is the person on the other side of the desk is in Northampton, Bournemouth or Dunfermline.

The technology ensures there are no video or audio delays and documents are transferred through scanners and printers.

Meanwhile, branch employees are on hand to support customers using the technology.