UK: IM Sounding Board - Beyond the conversion windfalls.

The debate over whether building societies should remain mutual or convert to quoted plc status has generated much heat over the summer.

Much of it has concentrated on the relative attractiveness of conversion windfalls compared with the supposed longer term benefits offered by mutual societies.

There has, however, been little objective analysis in the media of the actual benefits to customers offered by the different financial services businesses. My priority is providing financial products and services which delight the customer and this will continue to be the focus of the Halifax's approach. We will only be a successful business for our shareholders (many of whom are also our customers) if we properly meet the demands of our customers.