Editing Building society (section)

==Similar organisations in other countries==
In other countries there are mutual organisations similar to building societies:
*'''Austria''': In [[Austria]] there are four co-operative banks: Allgemeine Bausparkasse (ABV), [[Raiffeisen Zentralbank|Raiffeisen-Bausparkasse]], Bausparkasse Wüstenrot AG and Bausparkasse der Sparkassen (savings bank).
*'''Finland:''' In [[Finland]] the [[Mortgage Society of Finland]], a permanent building society, was founded in 1860. Since 2002 mortgage loans are handled by [[Suomen AsuntoHypoPankki]], the licensed bank owned by the society.
*'''Germany:''' In Germany there are 8 Bausparkassen of the [[Sparkassen-Finanzgruppe]] named ''Landesbausparkassen'' (LBS) and 12 private Bausparkassen, for example Schwäbisch Hall, Wüstenrot, Deutsche Bank Bauspar AG and so on.
*'''United States:''' In the United States, [[savings and loan association]]s, as well as [[credit union]]s, have a similar organisation and purpose.
*'''Denmark''' In Denmark, nearly all home mortgages are done through a [[Realkreditinstitut]] who issue low interest rate bonds tied directly to the value of the home. These institutions are historically member-owned, but since the 00's, several has been acquired by commercial banks. These bonds can cover up to 80% of the home's value, and additional loans at higher rates are needed if you need to finance the rest.
*'''Other''': See [[Cooperative banking]].