December 2007

Harpenden Building Society (HBS) is a top 50 ranked UK Building Society with over 95% of its funding provided direct from members and customers. In 2007 HBS won two prestigious awards for their savings and mortgage facilities and now claim over 18,000 members. It has three branches in the Northern Home Counties.

As part of its ongoing community support, HBS is one of the key sponsors of this year's Harpenden Christmas Tree Festival. Paul Marsden, Director and Chief Executive of HBS said, "Our head office is in Harpenden and we are delighted to support the Festival which promises to be a magical event. We have worked over the years with a number of childrens' projects and I am delighted that part of the funds raised will go to the Kids Company charity".

The Festival will begin on Tuesday 11th December at 7.30pm, when Harriet Lamb, Head of the Fairtrade Foundation, will switch on the lights at the Gala Evening sponsored by Harpenden Building Society.

The Festival takes place at St. Nicholas Church between Wednesday 12th and Monday 17th December and will involve 100 Christmas trees, 5,000 lights, and a Fairtrade market. Throughout the week, the full programme of events focuses on music from local schools and visiting musicians from around the world.

Sue Bentley, the Festival Organiser added, "Thanks to a number of key sponsors, including Harpenden Building Society, along with the support of over 100 local community groups, we look forward to breaking all attendance records at this year's Festival."

Full event details are available at www.christmastreefestival.co.uk.

May 2007

Harpenden Building Society (HBS) is a top 50 ranked UK Building Society with over 95% of its funding provided direct from members and customers. In 2007 HBS won two prestigious awards for their savings and mortgage facilities. Recently, 'Moneyfacts Magazine' awarded the Harpenden Building Society's '18 Club Savings Account' as the best children's savings account in the country - for the second year running! This account, launched in 1979 is designed for children so that investments can be made, either as a gift from relatives or by the child. High rates of interest are maintained so that as the account holder reaches 18, a financial helping hand is made available from their years of savings. This account is also popular with parents and grandparents as they rest assured that their investments to their children/grandchildren are being saved in a great account.

At the 'What Mortgage' Best National Building Society Awards ceremony, HBS gained a silver medal for being judged to have one of the lowest Standard Variable Mortgage Rate (SVR), compared to other Societies nationwide.

Paul Marsden, Director and Chief Executive said: "this is a huge success for us - especially after finishing 5th in 2005 and 3rd in 2006. Clearly we are gunning for the top SVR Mortgage spot over the next few years."

For further details of how HBS is able to assist both private and corporate clients with a range of investments and tailored mortgages, please telephone Harpenden Building Society on 01582-765411.

April 2007

Harpenden Building Society (HBS) is a top 50 ranked UK Building Society with over 95% of its funding provided direct from members and customers. In 2007 HBS won two prestigious awards for their savings and mortgage facilities and now claim over 18,000 members.

As a result of this performance, Paul Marsden, Director and Chief Executive of HBS said, "We are now recognised as one of the fastest growing Building Societies in the UK. We grew by almost 17% in 2006 and 74% during the period 2002 to 2006. We are now firmly established as a top 50 UK Building Society."

Added to their achievements are another impressive set of results, which demonstrate HBS' commitment to engaging its members. At the 2007 Society AGM 23% of its members voted. This is the 3rd highest percentage in the country achieved by any Building Society!

For further details on how HBS is able to assist both private and corporate clients with a range of investments and tailored mortgages, please telephone Harpenden Building Society on 01582 765411.

Jan 2007

Harpenden Building Society (HBS) is a top 50 ranked UK Building Society with over 95% of its funding provided direct from members and customers. In 2007 HBS won two prestigious awards for their savings and mortgage facilities and are now entering a new phase of development. Leading this programme is recently appointed Director and Chief Executive Paul Marsden.

Paul Marsden was formerly Finance Director of HBS, a position he first started in 2001. Prior to that he was Finance Director at a private futures and options broker in the City of London.

Commenting on his appointment, HBS Chairman Roger Smith said: "Following the retirement of Michael Read as Chief Executive we were looking for someone to further drive the Society forward whilst retaining its core values and customer services philosophy. I have known Paul Marsden for many years and know he has the personal and professional credentials to successfully meet these challenges".

For more information about the Harpenden Building Society, please telephone 01582 765411.