* Building society gross advances amounted to £4,333 million in September 2003, increasing from £3,042 million in September 2002.
* Net advances were £1,815 million in September 2003, up from £858 million in September 2002.
* Approvals (loans agreed, but not yet made) increased to £5,352 million in September 2003, from £3,891 million in September 2002.
* In the savings market, building societies had net inflows of £121 million in September 2003, down from £551 million in September 2002.
* Building society net receipts into cash ISAs were £122 million for September 2003.
Commenting on the mortgage market, Adrian Coles, Director-General of The Building Societies Association said:
"Building societies’ lending has more than doubled over the past year and is up over 25% over the past month. New approvals have also grown sharply. There is no sign in these figures of any decline in borrower confidence, or in the popularity of building societies. On the contrary; both seem to be rising."
On the savings side, Mr Coles said:
"Inflows continue to run at low levels reflecting low interest rates, government borrowing, rising equity markets and confidence in the housing market."
