THE boss of Silsden-based ethical lender and savings provider Ecology Building Society said it was achieving its mission of helping create a greener society after a posting another set of record results.

The mutual, which describes itself as an "ethical finance pioneer", achieved record gross and net lending along with record savings balances for the year to December 31 2015.

Assets rose to £145.9 million from £137.9 million in 2014 and Ecology boosted net profits to £881,000 against £566,000 a year earlier.

Gross lending increased to a record £42.1million from £23.1million - with net lending passing the £25milllion milestone for the first time.

It said 95 per cent of mortgages advanced were on residential properties ,including new builds, renovations and shared ownership, with five per cent on developments for community gain (including charities, community businesses and affordable housing

A relaunch of the Society's savings product range in the first quarter of the year helped boost savings balances which increased to a record £134.7million from £129.1million the previous year.

The Society said its latest results mark more than 30 years of uninterrupted profitability and provide a compelling case for a long-term, purpose-driven approach to finance.

Throughout 2015 Ecology also maintained its commitment to ethical business practices including receiving accreditation as a full Living Wage employer and recently became the first building society to be awarded the Fair Tax Mark, which sets a benchmark for responsible tax behaviour.

Ecology said its offers a range of simple, transparent, ethical savings accounts fund mortgages for properties and projects which support individuals and communities to adopt environmental building practices, improve the energy efficiency of the UK’s building stock and live or work in a way that promotes a sustainable economy.

Chief executive Paul Ellis said: “We’re proud to be at the forefront of the most exciting type of finance there could be: using money to make a positive difference for people and planet. Our results prove that our approach to ethical values-based banking is more relevant than ever and demonstrate how we are delivering on our mission to build a greener society.

“Throughout 2015 we have retained our commitment to focus on lending for positive environmental and social impact. Our record levels of lending represent a significant increase in our positive impact.”

Since his appointment in 1995, Paul has overseen an asset increase of more than £120 million and remains the longest-serving chief executive in the building society sector at the youngest society still in existence.