This table lists the largest UK deposit takers, and how we have authorised them. It shows how the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) limits would apply for most customers; it is not a complete list of deposit takers covered by the FSCS.

If a bank or building society authorised by the FSA is unable to pay back deposits held with it, the FSCS can pay 100% of the first £50,000 of an eligible depositor's claim, per authorised institution. FSCS protects private individuals and some small businesses. For further information relating to FSCS and its eligibility criteria, please visit www.fscs.org.uk. In the table below, authorised institutions are listed in the second column.

If your bank or building society is not on the list and you would like information about how it is authorised, please speak to your bank which should be able to advise you.

If a person holds accounts with two or more firms covered by a single authorisation – for example two or more firms in the fourth column covered by the same Firm Reference Number (FRN) – then the FSCS will only pay up to the maximum limit of £50,000 in total, regardless of how many different institutions a person holds accounts with and/or the number of accounts that they hold.

In the case of customers with joint accounts, FSCS will assume that the money in that account is split equally unless there is evidence to suggest otherwise. This means that each account-holder in a joint account would be eligible for compensation up to the maximum limit of £50,000.

Regardless of the brand, a firm must disclose who ultimately holds deposits on your behalf. This information can be found in the firms' product information and regular correspondence.

* Customers who had money deposited with these societies before the mergers are entitled to the same level of coverage after the merger. So, for example, if a customer had accounts at Nationwide and Cheshire Building Societies, between their accounts customers will have a total potential coverage of up to £100,000 (up to £50,000 coverage for each society they banked with). Please note that the FSCS does not apply in relation to deposits placed with the Cheshire’s Isle of Man branch.

** Customers who had money deposited with these societies before the transfer of accounts under the Banking Act 2009 are entitled to the same level of coverage as before the transfer. So, for example, if a customer had accounts with both Nationwide and Dunfermline Building Societies before the transfer, between their accounts customers will have a total potential coverage of up to £100,000 (up to £50,000 coverage for each society they banked with).

For more information see Building society mergers and compensation.