The British Friendly Society was set up in 1902. For o­ne old penny a day, members were guaranteed a weekly income of 10 shillings if illness stopped them earning. We've come a long way since then, and total income for the British Friendly Society has reached around £9.7 million a year with over £93 million of funds currently being managed for our members.

Step back in time
1902
The United Kingdom Commercial Travellers' Benefit Society (former name of BBfS) is founded. 626 members join and subscriptions equal £313. The Society paid out £67 in sickness benefits.

King Edward VII's coronation is delayed due to appendicitis. The teddy bear is introduced.

1904
Mortgages are granted to members for the first time and are still offered at competitive rates today.

The Trans-Siberian railway is completed. Henry Ford sets a new car speed record of 91 mph. Puccini writes "Madame Butterfly".

1914
Membership soars to reach 4,601. Subscription income totals £29,000, with £5,800 paid out in sickness benefits.

Charlie Chaplin first appears as the "Little Tramp", and traffic lights appear o­n our streets.

1936
Assets break through the £1 million barrier. Membership climbs to 10,000.

The Hoover Dam is completed. "Gone With The Wind" is published.

1948
More than 1,000 new members enrol this year.

The "Big Bang" theory is formulated. Laurence Olivier stars in "Hamlet".

1956
Assets reach £2 million.

Velcro is invented, so is the TV remote control.

1967
Our offices move from London to Charter House in Bedford, our own purpose-built block.

The first heart transplant takes place. The Beatles release "Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band".

1970
We merge with the British Sick Benefit and Thrift Society, and change our name to "British Benefit Society for Representatives and Agents".

The Beatles split up.

1982
Our first computer is installed at the Bedford Head Office.

"ET" and "Ghandi" are released in British cinemas. King Henry VIII's ship, the Mary Rose, is raised after 437 years.

1986
Assets are worth over £24 million.

Winnie the Pooh is 60 years old. A microlite aircraft circles the earth non-stop.

1995
Another office move, this time to our present home in Trevor Street, Bedford.

Sliced bread has been available for 65 years.

1998
We change our name again, to British Benefit friendly Society Ltd.

The film "Titanic" breaks box office records, and Lego is 40 this year.

2002
BBfS celebrates it's centenary. Membership reaches over 21,000, and we welcome the members of the British Airways Benefit Fund to the Society.

2007
We change our name to British Friendly Society