A huge majority of N&P members who use the society’s branches believe mutuality is important. N&P’s research asked customers in branches their views on a number of topics, including mutuality, branch usage, AGM votes and community support.
Another finding of the research was that the vast majority of N&P customers - 87% (89% in 2007) still prefer to use its branch network over any other method, although the internet has grown in popularity, up to 11% in 2008 (from 5% in 2007).
46% of people said that they visit their local branch once a week. N&P has always believed in maintaining and improving its branch network, and has opened a branch in Cambridge this year (it’s second in the city, taking the Society’s network to 56 branches), as well as carrying out improvement work to 10 other branches, with more to be completed by the end of the year.
An impressive 82% of members surveyed said they had recommended the society to a friend or family member.
Matthew Bullock, N&P’s chief executive, said: "I’m very pleased that, once again, our members are showing their overwhelming support for us remaining a local, mutual building society. In a time of financial unrest, it’s important that our customers know they can trust us to provide the excellent service they’ve come to expect, and that we’ll continue to seek to improve that service with refurbishments in our branch network."
