The Association of Friendly Societies Yearbook 2004/2005

It is several years since I last reviewed this title (RR 1999/418). Since then the financial services industry seems to have been in the midst of constant change. Much of this change has been driven by the desire to restore public confidence in an industry damaged by successive scandals. Change is, however, also occurring because of the aging of the population and the continuing fall in the amounts being saved. Despite this friendly societies still continue to flourish with assets in excess of £16 billion. The 58 members of The Association of Friendly Societies (AFS) represent the largest societies...