Key mortgage insights from one of our Partners
Colum Cleary F.P.C/M.A.Q
Barclays Woolwich – a history
Established in 1847, as one of the pioneers in permanent building societies, The Woolwich gained increasing popularity over the next few decades. The transformation into Woolwich Bank, was the next milestone, with the demutualisation of The Woolwich Equitable Building Society in 1997. Prospective investors were invited to purchase shares on the London Stock Exchange, of the newly christened Woolwich PLC.
What followed 3 years later, was an acquisition of the concern by Barclays group of companies; a goliath in the field of banking whose origins can be traced to the early 18th century and whose noteworthy contributions include launching the first credit card ever in the UK, as well as the world's first Automatic Teller Machine (ATM).
Knowing the cult popularity of The Woolwich name amongst existing clients, the trademark and brand name were initially left untouched. In the years to come, the Barclays group would merely rebrand it as "Woolwich - mortgages from Barclays", again retaining the Woolwich brand.
Woolwich and Barclays - the relationship
If you are a former Woolwich or Woolwich Building Society customer, you may be wondering where Woolwich is now and where Barclays fit in.
The former Woolwich Building Society demutualised in 1997 and became simply Woolwich plc. They were acquired by Barclays in August 2000 and in 2007 everything came under the Barclays brand and Barclays stopped using the Woolwich brand altogether.
If you are a Woolwich or Woolwich building society account holder for savings or for a mortgage you should contact Barclays for any help or information.