24th February 2025
What does it mean to make your savings count? Find out why saving with your local building society is a great way to save.
Have you seen our latest advert? If not, you can watch it here – you can also get exclusive behind-the-scenes look here. In the ad, we explore how you can make your savings count with your local building society. In this article, we’ll dive deeper into what that truly means for you.
As a mutual building society, instead of answering to shareholders, which is how most large banks are run, we're run for the benefit of our Members who collectively own the society. This means that what matters to them matters to us. Our Members have a say in how we operate, and they can trust that our business decisions, whether about products and services, branches, technology or community, put them first.
Our mission is to help people buy your own home, even if their situation is unusual. As a mutual building society, we use our Members' savings to support homebuyers, lending on a case-by-case basis. We take the time to understand a person's individual circumstances and offer clear, straightforward advice from start to finish. Our expert Mortgage Advisors are always on hand to provide tailored guidance - whether you’re exploring mortgage options or need support through the home-buying process. If you're interested in getting a mortgage with the Vernon, you can find our range of mortgages here, or get in touch.
We've been helping our Members save since 1924. Whether you're setting money aside for something special or looking for a secure place for your funds, we have an account to suit your needs. Our rates are competitive compared to similar organisations and most of our accounts can be managed in-branch or online, giving you the flexibility to manage your money in a way that suits you. If you'd like to find out more about saving with us, take a look at our range of accounts, or book a review with our friendly team.
Whilst other banks leave the high street in favour of online services, we realise the importance of our local businesses and face-to-face interaction. We're here to stay, that's why we've recently invested £1.2 million into refurbishing our branch network, creating an inviting and modern space for our Members and community. It’s important to us that we support our local economy, so all the work that went into our updated branches was done by local contractors and suppliers.
We believe that financial education is a vital life skill, and numerous studies indicate that it can enhance well-being and better prepare students to manage their finances as adults. That's why we've partnered with WizeUp, a charity that delivers financial education to high schools. So far, we have partnered with eight local schools, and in 2024, we saw 1,456 students and delivered 3,210 student hours. They teach lessons on financial awareness, CV writing, interview technique, and debt management, along with many others, to students of all ages.
We have a long history of giving back to our local community. Over the past 13 years, we've donated £138,391 to support our community through our long-running Community Stars program, sponsorship of local events and our new Vernon Charitable Foundation. The Foundation was launched to celebrate our Centenary year in March 2024 with more than £100,000 to support charities in Greater Manchester and Cheshire.
Alongside our charitable giving, we're proud to sponsor local people and groups. Whether this be through our longstanding support of the Poynton Brass Band or our more recent support of Together Trust's Together Festival, we believe it’s important to champion exceptional local people and causes. Our commitment goes beyond sponsorship - our colleagues are also given two volunteering days each year to support local non-profits, making a direct impact in the communities we serve.
We were founded in Stockport 100 years ago and we're excited to grow our membership across Greater Manchester and Cheshire, encouraging viewers to think about where they keep their money. Make your savings count with your local building society. Together, we're greater.