11th March 2026
Find out how you can make your savings count with your local building society.
At the Vernon, we’ve been part of the fabric of Greater Manchester & Cheshire since 1924. We are not a faceless corporation or a national chain. We are your local building society, and the people you meet when you come through our doors live in the same communities you do. This is who we are, and this is why we think that matters…
Have you ever wondered whether your bank is really on your side? Most big banks have one core priority: delivering profits to their shareholders. And that's fair enough for them, but it doesn't always mean you're getting the best deal.
A building society works differently. We're a mutual organisation, which means we're owned by our members. That's you! As a saver or mortgage holder with us, you are the Vernon. There are no distant shareholders to answer to. Any surplus we make gets reinvested into better rates, better service, and better support for the people and communities we care about.
Building societies were born from a wonderfully simple idea: that ordinary people, pooling their savings together, could help one another get a home. That spirit still drives everything we do. In a world of automated banking and disappearing branches, we think that matters more than ever.
With us, you are not a customer. You are a member, and that makes all the difference.
We were founded in Stockport in 1924, and for more than a century we have been quietly doing right by the people of Greater Manchester & Cheshire. Through good times and tough ones, we have always shown up for our members and our communities.
While big banks have been chasing profit and closing branches, we have been doing the opposite. We have stayed on the high street, invested in our branches, and kept real people at the heart of everything we do.
Whilst big banks have closed thousands of branches across the UK, we have been investing in refurbishing and modernising ours. You will find us in Bramhall, Hazel Grove, Marple, Poynton, Reddish and Stockport town centre, and when you walk through our doors, you will be greeted by a real person who genuinely wants to help.
When you call us, a real human being picks up the phone. No automated menus, no being shuffled from pillar to post. Just a friendly voice, ready to help. Our Stockport branch even has a community room that we offer free of charge to local charities and community groups, because we don't just exist in this community. We are part of it.
Whether you're saving for a rainy day, a first home, or something special, we have a range of accounts to help your money work harder. From Easy Access accounts and Cash ISAs to Fixed‑Rate Savings, there’s something to suit every kind of saver, and we’re always here to help you find the right fit.
Passbooks also remain an important way many members like to manage their savings. While we offer online and telephone banking for those who prefer digital tools, others value the simplicity and reassurance of a traditional passbook - and the opportunity for personal, face‑to‑face support.
Big lenders can be rigid. If your situation is a little out of the ordinary, you may well have been turned away before anyone has properly looked at your case. We do things differently. Every mortgage application is assessed by a real person who takes the time to understand your individual circumstances.
That means we can help first-time buyers, those who are self-employed, older borrowers and people with more complex situations. When other lenders say no, we might just say yes.
Where you save matters. When you choose the Vernon, every pound you put away is helping us do what we have always done: support our members, invest in our communities and help people build better futures right here in Greater Manchester & Cheshire.
We would love to welcome you in. Visit one of our branches, give us a call on 0161 429 6262, or discover our accounts online. Your savings can do more than you think. Let us show you how.
Together, we're greater!