Skipton International Celebrates it's 5th Anniversary

One of Guernsey’s most historic landmarks will be lit up with a purple hue in recognition of Skipton International’s 5^th anniversary.

Castle Cornet will play host to the Guernsey bank’s anniversary celebrations on Thursday 18^th September and its external walls will be lit up in purple, the colour of Skipton’s logo, for all to see. Budding photographers are being encouraged to capture Castle Cornet in its Skipton International colours for the chance to win a GoPro camera.

Skipton International was launched in 2009 following an amalgamation of Skipton Guernsey and Scarborough Channel Islands when their parent building societies merged in the UK during the worst global recession in living memory. Jim Coupe, Managing Director of Skipton International, said: ‘It was certainly an interesting time to be amalgamating during a recession but that didn’t put us off and today we’ve got a great deal to celebrate.

‘If there’s one measure of our success, then it should be how we have grown our mortgage book. Back in 2009, it was £388 million, it’s now £3/ 4 billion and rising. In fact we’ve been the largest provider of new mortgages in Guernsey for the past four years, and this year our Jersey lending has outgrown its smaller sister island and we are probably now the second largest provider of new mortgages in Jersey.

‘Through our range of savings accounts we support customers in over 100 countries worldwide, re-investing those savings back into the Channel Islands through the housing market. Earlier this year we also launched a UK buy-to-let mortgage for Channel Island residents, and we’ve just launched a UK expat range of buy-to-let mortgages as we spread our wings outside of the Channel Islands.

Mr Coupe added: ‘Over the past five years, Skipton International has come a long way and having some fun with our corporate branding by turning Castle Cornet purple is a chance to celebrate our achievements, we also want to thank our customers and at the same time reinforce our continued commitment to the Channel Islands.’

Skipton International today employs 34 staff across the Channel Islands. It regularly receives industry recognition for its mortgage and savings products, including in each of the past five years either winning or being commended in the Moneyfacts awards. The Bank’s commitment to the Channel Islands and its mutual heritage is evident through its sponsorships and community activities, including its headline sponsorship in Guernsey of the Skipton Swimarathon.