HBS win the prestigious 'Corporate Social Responsibility’ Award
October 2010
Harpenden Building Society (HBS) is an award winning, top 40 ranked UK Building Society with assets of over £200 million. In each of the last three years they have experienced double digit growth whilst ensuring no borrowings in the wholesale money market at the year end. Their profits for 2009 were approximately double that of 2008.
On Thursday 30th September 2010, HBS attended the St Albans District Chamber of Commerce Community Business Awards, where over 100 guests gathered at the Old Albanians Sports Club in Harpenden Road, St Albans. HBS was selected as the winner for the ‘Corporate Social Responsibility’ Award, against tough competition from over 30 other nominated local and national organisations.
Corporate Social Responsibility is of increasing importance in business. The award recognises those organisations involved with projects that encompass social responsibility and can demonstrate their dedication and commitment and produce proof of the improvements that have resulted from such projects.
HBS support a wide range of charities and good causes, including their Harpenden Building Society Charitable Trust (CAF), set up to benefit the local community and charities based in the area; and their Grassroots Endowment Fund, established in 2009, which has been matched, £ for £, with Government contributions.
Other key Social Responsibility initiatives that HBS undertake include:
• Utilising local businesses and suppliers wherever possible
• The introduction of further recycling systems to include plastics, bottles, cans & envelopes
• Community display window to raise awareness of local charities and events
• Event sponsorship and magazine advertising
• Local recruitment
• Facilitating staff involvement in community and charitable events
Director and Chief Executive of HBS, Paul Marsden, said: “We are delighted to have won the Award for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) from St Albans District Chamber of Commerce. This is a credit to our Society, both in terms of the way we do business, as well as the valuable contributions of our staff. The Award goes a long way towards demonstrating our commitment to CSR, and underlines the importance we place on ensuring that we integrate social and environmental concerns in our business operations and their impact on our local community.
Five in a Row for Harpenden Building Society
October 2010
Harpenden Building Society (HBS) are enjoying a period of sustained achievement. Having almost doubled their 2009 pre tax profit from £1.24 million in 2008 to £2.437 million in 2009 and with no year end reported borrowings in the wholesale money market they are the envy of many others.
Additionally the Society once again won our own Moneyfacts Best Children’s Account Provider award in 2010. Their flagship 18 Club account currently provides a rate of 2.47% AER variable (GROSS) and accounts for over 20% of total membership. It operates for balances of between £1 and £50,000 and is popular with children and family alike as withdrawals cannot be made until the account holder reaches 18.
Commenting on the award Paul Marsden Director and Chief Executive of HBS said: “We have won this award for four out of the last five years, and been highly commended for the other. To achieve this success in the last five years demonstrates why this account consistently delivers for our young savers. We very much hope that with the potential demise of the Child’s Trust Fund, investors will see that our 18 Club account offers another route to securing the highest returns for children.”
Harpenden Building Society: Local Reputation, National Recognition
HBS further expand their local presence with the opening of a new branch in Wendover
September 2010
Harpenden Building Society (HBS) is an award winning, top 40 ranked UK Building Society with assets of over £200 million. In each of the last three years they have experienced double digit growth whilst ensuring no borrowings in the wholesale money market at the year end. Their profit for 2009 was approximately double that of 2008.
HBS have three existing branches in Harpenden, Radlett and Leighton Buzzard. As part of their expansion strategy the Society are seeking opportunities to further increase their local presence in the northern Home Counties.
On Wednesday 1st September 2010, HBS opened their new branch at 3 Icknield Court, Back Street, Wendover, HP22 6EB. The new branch is designed to meet the mortgage and savings needs of the local community and reflects the fact that the Society’s regional membership has increased by over 15% in the last 18 months. The town of Wendover was selected as it matches the demographic profile of their existing branch locations.
The official opening was undertaken by Tony Mogford, Chair of the Wendover Community Trust who said “We are delighted to have a Harpenden Building Society branch opening in our town. They are the only Building Society present in Wendover, and will in fact be the only financial institution open weekdays from 9am to 4pm, as both of the Banks are only open part time. HBS have already shown a keen interest in our local activities and will become an integral part of our community. Additionally the opening of this branch means employment for four residents of the local area.”
Commenting on the new branch opening, Paul Marsden, Director and Chief Executive said: “The opening of our Wendover branch means that we now have four branches in the northern Home Counties. This is a memorable occasion for us, as the last branch opening was approximately 20 years ago. We feel that the timing is now right to increase our local presence and will announce further branch openings in due course.”
Harpenden Building Society: Local Reputation, National Recognition
Leighton Buzzard autistic group benefits from charitable donation from HBS
June 2010
Harpenden Building Society established its charitable Grassroots Endowment Fund with Hertfordshire Community Foundation in 2009 to support children, health, and local community projects in Herts, Beds and Bucks. This has helped to literally double the money available to local charities and voluntary groups, as the contributions made by HBS are matched, pound for pound, with contributions from the Government Grassroots Grant Programme.
One project that has benefited from an HBS grant is the Leighton Buzzard LOAF group. LOAF stands for ‘Loads of Autistic Fun’, and is a project, run by a small independent charity called Autism Bedfordshire.
HBS have provided a grant to fund the purchase of sensory equipment, a bouncy castle, and to help pay for one-to-one support staff at LOAF. A commemorative opening ceremony was held on Saturday 5th June to mark the installation of the bouncy castle and sensory equipment at Southcott lower school in Leighton Buzzard.
Carl Astley, Finance Director of HBS, attended this special occasion and said “I enjoyed the opening ceremony and seeing the benefit that our financial contribution has made. We have a policy of supporting the local community with key charitable donations where we can make a noticeable difference to individuals and families.”
Commenting on behalf of Autism Bedfordshire, Emma Reade said: “Families needed a place to go to on Saturday, where they could enjoy being a family and where other people would understand and not judge if their child was distressed. Families tell me it is a lifeline and helpful to meet other parents in the same situation. LOAF is totally funded by donations and grants, so we were thrilled when Harpenden Building Society made a donation.”
The HBS charitable Grassroots endowment fund is administered by the Hertfordshire Community Foundation.
If you would like more information about the HBS Grassroots Endowment Fund please contact Christine Mills, Grants Manager, Hertfordshire Community Foundation on 01707 251351 or email christine.mills@hertscf.org.uk.
Harpenden Building Society: Local Reputation, National Recognition
Digswell Place benefits from key charitable donation from HBS
June 2010
Harpenden Building Society established its charitable Grassroots Endowment Fund in 2009 to support children, health, and local community projects. This has helped to literally double the money available to local charities and voluntary groups, as the contributions made by HBS are matched, pound for pound, with contributions from the Government Grassroots Grant Programme.
One project that has benefited from an HBS grant is Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) Group at Digswell Place in Welwyn Garden City. Digswell Place is a purpose built, voluntary run stable that allows disabled adults and children to enjoy riding. The group was set up in 1972 and helps over 100 mentally and physically disabled people ride each week.
Jackie Meredith is the Chairman of Digswell Place RDA Group, and explains why the grant helped. “Last year we had to put down one of our elderly horses, as age and arthritis culminated in a very poor quality of life. However, we are delighted that Harpenden Building Society has enabled us to purchase a new pony. The riders, young and old, love to welcome a new pony. They get immense pleasure from being introduced to it and watching it settle down... and of course ultimately riding it.”
Commenting on the charitable donation, Paul Marsden, Chief Executive of HBS, said “We are delighted that our Grassroots Endowment Fund is making such a difference within our local community. Digswell Place is one of two recent projects that have been successfully completed with the assistance of our Grassroots Endowment Fund, and we look forward to realising similar projects in the future.”
The HBS charitable Grassroots Endowment Fund is administered by the Hertfordshire Community Foundation
If you would like more information about the HBS Grassroots Endowment Fund please contact Christine Mills, Grants Manager, Hertfordshire Community Foundation on 01707 251351 or email christine.mills@hertscf.org.uk.
Harpenden Building Society: Local Reputation, National Recognition
HBS wins UK’s 2009 “Best Children’s Account Provider” award
October 2009
Harpenden Building Society has won the 2009 Moneyfacts “Best Children’s Account Provider” award for their 18 Club account. A delighted Paul Marsden, Director and Chief Executive explains:
“Children’s savings accounts are one of the most fiercely contested sectors in the finance world. All UK Banks and Building Societies want children to be introduced to their organisation, as young savers will eventually turn into loyal adult customers. So the stakes for the future of these institutions could not be higher.”
“To win this national award proves that savers in Herts, Beds and Bucks can get the best returns for their savings right here on their doorstep” he added.
The award ceremony was held in the City of London in front of an audience of 400 guests representing the elite of the financial services sector. Paul Marsden collected the award from the BBC Breakfast presenter Bill Turnbull. This is the third time in the last 4 years that the Society has won this award outright.
Parents, Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles find the account particularly attractive as the funds cannot be withdrawn from the account until the child reaches the age of 18. This protects the investment and provides them with a useful lump sum when they reach adulthood.
HBS sees the 18 Club account as a key part of its future and it fits perfectly with its mutual status. Their objective is to ensure that they consistently appear in the top 20 for all their savings and investment products and expect as a result to collect more awards in the years ahead.
Harpenden Building Society: Local Reputation, National Recognition
