Dunfermline Building Society

Dunfermline Building Society

The basic principle of building society business is to assist people to buy their own homes. This principle of home-ownership was first adopted in 1759 by a group of people saving for and building their own homes. It was soon realised that more could be achieved by taking in savings from people not looking for homes for themselves, but who were seeking interest to be paid on their savings. In this way the foundations of the business, saving and lending, were established. Today, building societies are still a principal avenue of savings and lending.

Their convenience, simplicity of operation and the stability and care displayed to the public has built up a great trust that has contributed significantly to the growth of this unique movement. Established in 1869, Dunfermline Building Society is Scotland’s largest building society and plays an important part in the savings and mortgage market in Scotland. In its early days it met the aspirations of prospective homeowners in and around the town of Dunfermline like other societies of the day - by building houses. Many of these have escaped the developer's hammer and are still standing. The Society also acted as landlords, letting property and one of the duties of the General Manager at that

time was to change the tap washers in these properties! The growth of the building society movement generally is reflected in the growth of Dunfermline Building Society. Just before the start of World War 2, assets stood at £1.5m. By 1955, this figure had grown to £10.5m. As business increased, the Society established branch and agency offices throughout the country to serve customers in their home areas. This growth inevitably led to the absorption of many smaller societies such as the Stenhousemuir, Peebles, Fourth Fifeshire Investment Co and the Stirlingshire.

The largest of these mergers occurred in 1981 when the Edinburgh and Paisley Building Society became the 20th such organisation to join Dunfermline. With assets topping £105m and a branch network stretching across Scotland, the Society was firmly established as Scotland's Building Society. 1981 also saw the move of Head Office to 12 East Port, Dunfermline. Continued growth in the early 1980s placed the Society in a strong position to meet the challenge of change and increased competition as a result of the passing in 1986, of the Building Societies Act and Financial

Services Act, both of which gave greater power to societies, allowing them to expand the range of services offered to customers. The Society has grasped these opportunities and now, in addition to a range of mortgage and investment services, offers its customers insurance, commercial loans, personal loans, credit cards, traveller’s cheques, travel insurance and foreign currency. As the result of increasing pressure on space, a purpose built Head Office, Caledonia House, was established in a commanding position at the south side of Dunfermline on Carnegie Campus and occupied on 5

September 1994. It is regarded as an ongoing commitment to our customers, staff and the Society's future. Technological advances such as the introduction of the computer-linked counter top terminal system in branch offices and ATM facilities created a more efficient and streamlined service to customers whilst still allowing the Society to maintain the friendly and personal touch which has been our trademark over the years. This improved even further in 1996 with the introduction of the

new branch computerised system (WEB), the installation of which was completed in 1998. In May 1993 the Society received ISO 9002, the quality award, for our computerised mortgage processing system (ADVICE). The prestigious Investor in People award was attained in August 1995, the Society having spent considerable time in demonstrating that the standards laid down were being met and surpassed. This Award was reaffirmed in 1998, again in 2001 and continues to this day. The Society continued to increase the value of mutuality delivered to members. At the end of 1999, a further

amount of £10.1m was returned to members, bringing the total over the last four years to more than £29m. This was achieved by maintaining the Society’s variable mortgage rate at an average level of 0.25% below the level charged by competitors; by ensuring that advantageous investment rates were consistently offered and through continuing support to local authorities. The Society retained the financial rating awarded by a leading independent credit rating agency in 1998, again following a stringent and rigorous examination. Our telephone banking service, Dunfermline Direct, was launched during Spring 1999. This service complements our existing branch network and postal

service, and provides a range of accounts and services to those who either find it more convenient to transact business by telephone or do not work or live close to a branch. The Society’s website at www.dunfermline-bs.co.uk was improved during 2003 to enable, for example, the downloading of application forms for Dunfermline Direct products. Our E-Commerce strategy is in the course of being further developed. These innovations mark the Society’s determination to respond to members’ demands for improved ways of transacting business, while continuing to recognise the value of face-to-face personal service. Further development of the branch network took place in 2003 and this will continue in future with a rolling refurbishment programme and enhanced fascia work. This year also saw a dramatic increase in the value of business gained from the intermediary

market, following the formation of a Key Accounts team which was set up to work specifically with mortgage introducers. Additionally, a number of agencies were opened in key areas, giving members and prospective members increased access to the Society’s products and services. With assets at the end of 2003 forecast to top £1.8bn, an electronic distribution service augmenting a network of 33 branches and 41 agencies, an expanded Commercial and Social Housing department, the Society is well equipped to meet the challenges of the financial marketplace. The Society is a mutual organisation and as such, exists to serve the needs of members without the

necessity to satisfy shareholders. Profits made are sufficient only to provide for the costs of the business. This allows lending rates to be set at consistently lower levels than competitors and investment rates kept high enough not only to be competitive, but in many cases, also to qualify as market leading. Coupled with significant and continuous investment in communities across Scotland through sponsorship and support to various organisations, the Society has earned the title of ‘SCOTLAND’S BUILDING SOCIETY’.

Any Purpose Loans £100 to £100,000 We have one of the shortest application forms on the internet today. When you complete our short form and submit it to us, we search a large number of reputable UK Loan Lenders to find you the very latest loan deals and best interest rates available today. We even have exclusive Loan Lenders that you will not find anywhere else. Apply today with confidence. Instant acceptance with many of the Loan Companies we use. Get started now…….
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