Halifax

From our roots as a building society, all the way to the bank we are today, no one at the Halifax has ever really forgotten that we are just people helping people.

It’s a people thing is both what we believe as a bank, and what makes us different. It’s true to Halifax and true to every colleague who goes the extra mile every day to make things better for our customers.

Key milestones

1852

In December 1852 a small group gathered in the Old Cock Inn in Halifax, which is still there today, to set up an investment and loan society. Those with spare cash could invest it; others could then borrow, using the funds to buy or build a house.

By Christmas that year the Halifax Permanent Benefit Building Society was formally established
1853

On 26th May 1853, Esau Hanson became the first person ever granted a mortgage by the Halifax, borrowing £121 to buy land on St. John's Lane.
1913

In 1913 assets reached £3 million and the Halifax became the largest building society in the world.
1928

In 1928 Halifax Permanent merged with the Halifax Equitable, creating the Halifax Building Society. With assets of £47 million this new society was some five times the size of its nearest peer.
1986

In 1986, new legislation allowed building societies to increase their range of financial services. The Halifax steadily diversified into personal banking.
1997

In February 1997 its members voted overwhelmingly in favour of conversion to plc status. The subsequent flotation on 2nd June was the largest the Stock Market had seen and created some 7.5 million shareholders overnight.

Halifax history

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