Mutual Mergers/Demutualisations in 2019

[planteria]

Happy New Year all..

any thoughts/predictions for the year ahead?

[im182044]

Well Manchester must be top of the list for a rescue

[planteria]

they have to be i suppose im.. they need it. but perhaps other building societies will merge this year too, as costs continue to rise and regulation isn't likely to lighten up on them.

[Boro Boy]

I can't foresee any big (or small) demutualisations but a few of the smaller BS may find it more comfortable merging for economies of scale.... maybe.

[planteria]

agreed BB. we may see some consolidation amongst other financial mutuals, including friendly societies, too. i think that's where the lowest fruity bags are hanging.

[Boro Boy]

Also doubt that, with the size of the mergers we are talking about, That there is any £££ financial benefits to be divided out amongst it's members. They are more likely to be fighting for survival as costs escalate...

In short, nothing here to interest carpetbaggers!

[pabenny]

.. nothing here to interest carpetbaggers!

Exactly. That ship sailed long ago.

[Boro Boy]

.. nothing here to interest carpetbaggers!

Exactly. That ship sailed long ago.

There was talk some years ago about the Nationwide doing the same as the Halifax but when all that happened was the Halifax was eaten up by the larger fish I think Nationwide got cold feet and it never seemed to be mentioned ever again!

So... nothing here to interest the carpetbaggers!

[planteria]

i'm not sure that any decision re. Nationwide was as a result of what happened with Halifax post-demutualisation and subsequent merger. Nationwide is a relatively strong, and clearly national, building society. it does relatively well as it is. maybe one day it will demutualise or merge with another business or change direction in some other way. hopefully, whatever happens, us members/owners will be involved in decisions and any benefits that result.

[Boro Boy]

At the time of floatation Halifax was much larger than even the present Nationwide and it was a cash hungry expansionist company who thought the best way ahead was to go to the market (standard borrowing arrangements being very restrictive for mutuals). The fact is at that point "the big boys" didn't want any new competition and gave them an offer they could not refuse!!!!! My fear is that if Nationwide took the same decision it would also get the same result...!

I can't imagine that any carpetbaggers would get much from any distributions that may follow any possible demutualisation even if it were to progress...