Hanley Economic Building Society

CCC's Mortgage Providers

The Society began life in 1854. The brainchild of the Right Hon. The Earl Granville who at that time was Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, as well as the Principal of the Iron and Steel works, in Shelton StokeonTrent.

Known as The Staffordshire Potteries Economic Permanent Benefit Building Society, the name was onerous but its aims were quite simple: to foster thrift among the employees of the company, and the inhabitants of the district.

Minute books and annual reports preserved since those pioneering days detail the successful progress of this great Potteries enterprise.

The Society's first annual report, after referring to a year of great commercial depression and embarrassment, recorded that 142 3/4 shares had been subscribed for and that assets stood at £629. By 1859, the Society reported flourishing business with assets of £1,136 and by the 25th year in 1879, these had grown to £4,725. By the turn of the century, membership topped 400 with assets well over £20,000. A far cry from today's current figure of over £257 million (31/08/02), but already creating a strong influence.

With the growth of industry in the early part of this century, allied to an increasing appreciation of its service, the Society began to attract people from a wider area. As business broadened, its name was shortened to the Hanley Economic Building Society in 1930.

Five years later the society took over premises at Cheapside in Hanley, which remained the headquarters until moving to the purpose built premises on Festival Park in 1992.