Annual General Meeting 2026

Changing the Society’s financial year to align with the standard UK tax year is not a simple administrative adjustment. It is a significant operational, regulatory and financial undertaking. While we understand why some members may prefer dates that match the 6 April–5 April tax year, several complexities must be considered before any change could be suggested and at present, the cost, disruption and regulatory complexity of changing the financial year significantly outweigh any potential benefit.

The Society has been listed in the Best Buy tables for a number of our savings products throughout 2025 and into this year, particularly for notice and fixed rate bond and ISA products. From our member feedback forums, savers have told us they value longer-term savings solutions and ISA products, and therefore we have sought to prioritise these with attractive rates.

The question perhaps refers to shorter-term and instant access rates which are clearly lower than longer term products but which we have either not reduced or reduced by less than base rate for the last two rate reductions with a view to make those products more competitive relative to the market. Regardless, if you would like to understand if we can offer you a better rate, please do discuss your needs with one of our colleagues who would be happy to assist.

Yes, as mentioned today the Society has a number of digital developments coming which will iron out these inconveniences. Have a continual plan of delivery as we know these types of processes are antiquated – we are working with our tech partner to deliver these.

There are no immediate plans for Instant access ISAs at the moment, however we will continue to monitor the demand. We have just re-opened the Easy Access ISA.

We are a proud local employer in Hinckley and all other locations that we are present. Hinckley & Rugby Building Society remains fully committed to maintaining our branch presence, including here in Hinckley. Our branches continue to play a vital role in how we support our members, providing face-to-face service, advice and a personal connection that many of our members value highly.

We recognise that branches are an important part of our identity and our service model. Our strategy focuses on strengthening both our in‑branch and digital services so that members can choose how they wish to interact with us.

Thank you for sharing your views on our opening hours. We understand that our current hours may not be convenient for all members, and we appreciate you taking the time to tell us. Our current hours reflect how members are using our branches and help us direct colleagues to the times and channels where they can help most people. You can still contact us through our other service channels, and if you need something specific, we can help find the best way to assist you.

No, whilst we respect the decision to reward a dividend to members, this is not something H&R will follow. Instead, we believe member benefits and value should be from better savings rates and specialist mortgage solutions.

Cheques are not the only means of transferring money to your H&R Accounts. We offer transfer via faster payment and via a nominated bank account transfer via the app. These are easier and quicker methods of transfer, if this is not something you would like assistance with, please contact our customer teams who would gladly help and advise you.

Thank you for this feedback, we will discuss this with our tech provider to see if this can be amended or included in a future upgrade.

Thank you for this feedback, we will discuss this with our tech provider to see if this can be amended or included in a future upgrade.

Thank you for this feedback, we will discuss this with our tech provider to see if this can be amended or included in a future upgrade.

At Hinckley & Rugby Building Society, we assess roles against reputable external market salary benchmarks to ensure we remain aligned with similar organisations within financial services.  We also carry out role specific pay band reviews to keep our pay structures fair, consistent and reflective of changing market expectations. Our Remuneration Committee oversees and approves all pay frameworks, ensuring decisions are appropriate, well governed and in the best interests of members.

The Society has a dedicated Financial Support team whose purpose is to understand customers’ individual circumstances and help identify potential solutions for customers who are up to date with their mortgage payments but anticipate financial difficulty, as well as those who are currently in arrears.

There also is the Mortgage Charter which is an agreement between the Government, the Financial Conduct Authority, and lenders, to provide even more support.

If you are worried about affording your mortgage payments, there are options available to help you. The following mortgage charter options do NOT require a new affordability check (to examine your income and outgoings).

• You can switch up to three months early to a new mortgage deal.
• You can extend your mortgage term (as long as the new term does not extend beyond your expected retirement age) without affecting your credit score.
• You can switch to interest-only for up to six months without affecting your credit score.

Please note that the Mortgage Charter is not available to buy‑to‑let customers and applies only to residential customers whose mortgage payments are up to date.

An AGM is a formal regulatory requirement, and every year we hold a full election for all resolutions, including the appointment or re-appointment of Directors. All Directors stand for election or re-election at the AGM in accordance with our Rules and regulatory expectations. Members are asked each year, to vote for, against, or withhold their vote for each Director. If a Director does not receive sufficient support from members, they cannot continue in their role.

In addition to the Board elections, members are also asked to vote on the Annual Report, the appointment of the External Auditors and the Remuneration Report. Your vote is an important part of how you hold the Society to account.

Management expenses have increased in recent years due to cost inflation, growth and due to significant investments in people and technology to improve customer services and experience, and to comply with new regulations. But we are very clear on the importance of being efficient and so regularly challenge our suppliers on costs, and switch suppliers when needed to obtain value for our members.

A key metric we monitor is the cost: income ratio, and this has reduced from 89% in 2024 to below 84% in 2025 – while costs increased, income increased at a faster rate.

Global oil prices have risen following recent events in the Middle East, placing additional pressure on UK inflation. This has led to expectations that interest rates will stay higher for longer, or may need to increase further, to meet inflation targets. In turn, savings rates are likely to remain at elevated levels, and fixed‑rate products have already risen since the conflict began. Importantly, the security of member savings is not expected to be affected.

At Hinckley & Rugby Building Society, we take our responsibility to reward colleagues fairly and transparently very seriously. Our pay is reviewed through a structured, robust process each year to ensure it remains competitive, responsible and aligned with the Society’s values. We complete a full annual pay review for all colleagues, assessing benchmark data, market movements, cost‑of‑living pressures and role responsibilities. Roles are evaluated against reputable external market salary benchmarks to ensure we remain aligned with similar organisations within financial services. We also carry out role‑specific pay band reviews to keep our pay structures fair, consistent and reflective of changing market expectations. Our Remuneration Committee oversees and approves all pay frameworks, ensuring decisions are appropriate, well‑governed and in the best interests of members. We are proud to be a Real Living Wage employer, meaning that every colleague is paid at least the independently calculated UK Living Wage, not just the Government’s minimum. This ensures our teams receive a wage that reflects the true cost of living and demonstrates our commitment to supporting staff wellbeing and financial security.

At Hinckley & Rugby Building Society, we assess roles against reputable external market salary benchmarks to ensure we remain aligned with similar organisations within financial services. We also carry out role‑specific pay band reviews to keep our pay structures fair, consistent and reflective of changing market expectations. Our Remuneration Committee oversees and approves all pay frameworks, ensuring decisions are appropriate, well‑governed and in the best interests of members.

Question continued – Making a direct transfer takes a few strokes on a computer keyboard which a branch staff member can easily do.

Issuing a cheque which the same branch staff member does, almost certainly incurs the society in more cost and also inconveniences the HRBS member especially if using a branch in a location where there is no longer a branch of the member’s bank, – no Barclays and soon no Lloyds in Hinckley.

It is high time such transfers were made free of charge though a restriction on the volume of such free transfers such as one or two per month per account would restrict abuse. 

Please do not direct me to on-line, I have wasted too much time trying to log onto the HRBS website to establish the amount of interest received for my tax return, (I do not appear to have received a hard copy interest statement since 2017 when it was issued with the AGM documents). Every time my password is not recognised and when I request a reset, I get an error message!

A – There are several solutions to this, one of which is to make use of our online digital platform and mobile app however, I note that is not your preference. A second option, which would suit your needs better is to call in to one of our branches who can make the transfer to your verified nominated bank account electronically and free of charge. If you contact us, we can help you set up your nominated bank account to make the transfer process seamless when the time comes to pay your holiday.

These are currently on hold, as The Building Society Association are designing materials for the delivery of the Educational Workshops, so they are delivered in a standard format across all schools, that provide the workshops. Hinckley & Rugby Building Society are a part of this working group.

We will consider this as a medium-term initiative. Delivering services in alternative locations in an efficient and secure manner would require changes to our core banking platform, which means it is not feasible in the short-term.

Yes, branches can print out a Statement of Interest appropriate for tax returns.

Yes, we will ensure this is investigated as Member feedback is very important to us.