Important Clarification: Chesham Building Society no longer exists as a separate lending institution.
In June 2010, the society merged with Skipton Building Society. It is no longer possible to open a new savings account or apply for a mortgage under the Chesham brand.
If you have a mortgage or savings account that was originally with Chesham Building Society, it is now owned and managed by Skipton Building Society.
To compare Skipton’s current mortgage deals with the rest of the mortgage market, you can use our free mortgage comparison tool below.
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About Chesham Building Society's Legacy
Founded in 1845 in the market town of Chesham, Buckinghamshire, the society held a unique distinction: at the time of its merger, it was the oldest surviving building society in the world.
For 165 years, it operated as a small, traditional mutual, primarily serving members in Buckinghamshire and the surrounding Home Counties.Despite its historic status, the financial pressures of the post-2008 economic climate made it difficult for small societies to operate efficiently.
In 2010, the board agreed to a voluntary merger with the much larger Skipton Building Society to secure the long-term future of its members' funds.
What Happened to Chesham Building Society Mortgages?
You can no longer apply for a mortgage with Chesham Building Society.
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The Merger: On June 1, 2010, all assets and liabilities of Chesham Building Society were transferred to Skipton Building Society
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Existing Mortgages: If you took out a mortgage with Chesham before June 2010, you became a customer of Skipton Building Society. Your mortgage terms and conditions (such as your interest rate margin) remained protected
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Branch Network: Following the merger, the Chesham branches were rebranded as Skipton Building Society. While Skipton has closed some branches across its network over the years, the original Chesham branch on the High Street remains open today as a Skipton branch
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What was the former lender known for?
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Personal Service: As a small, local mutual, it was renowned for knowing its customers by name and providing face-to-face manual underwriting
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Historic Stability: Its status as the "world's oldest" society gave it a strong reputation for prudence and safety among local savers
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Community Focus: It was deeply embedded in the Buckinghamshire community, sponsoring local events and charities
Which lenders offer equivalent benefits today?
The closest modern equivalents are the remaining smaller building societies, which often retain a local focus and a commitment to manual underwriting for complex cases. Here are some examples:
How to Apply for a Mortgage
You cannot apply for a new mortgage with Chesham Building Society.
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New Customers: The products offered by Skipton Building Society, which now serves the customer base originally built by Chesham may be suitable, however, it’s always a good idea to compare deals from across the market
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Existing Customers: If you still have a mortgage that originated with Chesham, you can contact Skipton Building Society to discuss remortgagingto a new deal, borrowing more money, or moving home
Whether you’re looking for a new mortgage or were previously a Chesham customer, our expert brokers can help you to find those lenders with the most desirable benefits and that match your needs the closest. Get started now to speak to us about your options.