How do building societies generally operate with the funds saved by members?

Building societies primarily operate by taking the savings deposited by their members and using a significant portion of those funds to provide mortgages to borrowers. This practice involves lending out the savings as secured loans, typically for the purchase of homes, while charging interest on those loans. This interest income generates revenue for the building society, which can then be used to pay interest on members' savings, cover operational costs, or reinvest in the society.

The model is designed to serve members' interests, giving them access to affordable mortgage options while providing a safe place for their savings to earn interest. This cooperative approach ensures that members benefit from both saving and borrowing activities within the society.

In contrast, other options such as investing solely in stocks and shares, providing loans without interest, or insuring properties do not reflect the core function of building societies, which is centered around the lending and saving process. Building societies focus on fostering a mutual relationship between savers and borrowers, promoting the idea that members help one another achieve their financial goals through pooling resources.