BRITANNIA boss Neville Richardson has revealed his confidence about the outcome of the vote on plans for a merger with Co-operative Financial Services.

The deadline for casting votes on the convergence of two of the country's biggest financial institutions is a week tomorrow at the Leek-based society's annual general meeting.

Mr Richardson, pictured, chief executive of Britannia Building Society, has predicted a 'strong turnout' for the agm which is taking place at the NEC in Birmingham on April 29.

For the merger to go-ahead, 75 per cent of Britannia saving members and 50 per cent of borrowing members have to vote in favour.

Mr Richardson said: "I am confident without being complacent."

And he dismissed claims of large scale job losses at Leek as the only way of making anticipated savings.

Britannia and the CFS boards have recommended the merger to create a new super mutual as an 'ethical' alternative to shareholder banks.

They claim it will create expected efficiency and revenue benefits of £60 million a year by the third year of the merged business.

The chief executive said: "You can't give cast-iron guarantees over jobs. However, I do see a substantial presence in Leek."

Mr Richardson has been travelling the length and breadth of the country explaining to members the plans for the merger with CFS.

He said: "It's good fun. One of the things people talk about is whether Britannia will retain its name, but no decision has been made on that."

He said Britannia was proud of its association with Premiership Stoke City and there were no plans to end the partnership between the two should the merger go ahead.

The society operates a saving scheme with the club, are two years into a three year shirt sponsorship and have between seven and eight years to go on a deal over the name of the ground – the Britannia Stadium.

Mr Richardson said they were in constant communication with the Britannia Staff Union to keep the workforce up-to-date with the proposals.

He also dismissed suggestions by opponents of the merger who claimed it was a take-over.

He pointed out that he was to become chief executive of the new organisation and that two other fellow board members, Tim Franklin and Phil Lee, will also be on the new board. Mr Richardson added: "This merger offers a big window of opportunity."

He predicted customers dissatisfied with the current banking system, which has been undergoing months of turmoil, would turn to institutions such as the Britannia.

Financial Services Authority rules prevent Britannia from publishing the number of votes received, in case this influences voting patterns.

The Post & Times revealed last week that eight out of 10 members of Britannia staff are backing the proposed merger. Britannia employs 2,000 staff at its Leek headquarters.