The Association of Friendly Societies Year Book 1998‐1999 3rd edition

The continuing importance of friendly societies as providers of a wide range of insurance services to millions of people is emphasised in this latest edition of The Association of Friendly Societies Year Book. Friendly societies are one of the oldest types of financial institution, having been around since the sixteenth century. They were in many ways the original welfare services providing for their members when they fell ill or were made redundant. The coming of the Welfare State reduced the need for people to be members of such societies and most of the friendly societies were wound up then....