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Building society 'must not fail' | |
(about 5 hours later) | |
The Dunfermline Building Society will not be allowed to collapse, the chair of the Treasury select committee said. | |
John McFall told the BBC the government would stand by the society, which is facing huge losses. | |
The financial services watchdog, the FSA, fears additional write-downs might leave the society unable to fund future liabilities. | |
Its accounts - due to be signed off later - are expected to be revealed next week. | |
The Labour MP for West Dunbartonshire told the BBC's Newsnight Scotland programme: "The government can't afford to let the Dunfermline Building Society go, if for no other reason than confidence in the financial system. | The Labour MP for West Dunbartonshire told the BBC's Newsnight Scotland programme: "The government can't afford to let the Dunfermline Building Society go, if for no other reason than confidence in the financial system. |
"Confidence is at an all-time low at the moment and it would just be shattering if that happened. So the government will stand behind this building society." | "Confidence is at an all-time low at the moment and it would just be shattering if that happened. So the government will stand behind this building society." |
He said a merger with a larger building society was an option. | He said a merger with a larger building society was an option. |
Cash flow problems | Cash flow problems |
"But if that does not happen I think the government will stand behind it," Mr McFall said. | "But if that does not happen I think the government will stand behind it," Mr McFall said. |
"It will do so with a considerable injection of money." | "It will do so with a considerable injection of money." |
It emerged at the end of last week that the Dunfermline, Scotland's biggest building society, was in serious trouble and facing multi-million pound losses. | It emerged at the end of last week that the Dunfermline, Scotland's biggest building society, was in serious trouble and facing multi-million pound losses. |
The society, which has 34 branches across the country and almost 500 employees, was founded 140 years ago. | The society, which has 34 branches across the country and almost 500 employees, was founded 140 years ago. |
It made £2m profit in 2007 but it is now understood that the mutual is having problems with its cash flow. | |
There has been speculation that it could announce losses of up to £26m. | |
It is understood many of Dunfermline's woes stem from its exposure to bad loans in the commercial property market. | It is understood many of Dunfermline's woes stem from its exposure to bad loans in the commercial property market. |