The OFT has cleared the acquisition of parts of the Dunfermline Building Society by the Nationwide Building Society. The OFT analysed the likely effects of the merger in respect of the distinct markets for different financial products, including personal current accounts, mortgages and credit cards, on each of a UK-wide, Scotland-wide and local basis. There were found to be no competition concerns on a UK or Scotland-wide basis, and for the one local area (Anniesland in Glasgow) where the merged entity had fewer than three competitors, there was sufficient competition in nearby central Glasgow and no third party concerns were raised. It was therefore concluded that the merger would be unlikely to create a substantial lessening of competition within the relevant markets within the UK.
