London - Britain's ailing Bradford & Bingley building society is about to be nationalized, media reports said Saturday, citing sources within London's financial district.
In order to avert a possible collapse, the country's eighth largest mortgage lender could be merged with Northern Rock, which was itself nationalized earlier in the year when it failed, the Daily Telegraph and Daily Mail reported.
On a visit to the United States, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said the reports were speculation and he would not comment on them.
Media reports earlier in the week had said that Britain's Financial Services Authority was seeking a buyer for Bradford & Bingley, the latest victim of the global financial crisis.