The Scottish Temperance Life Assurance was founded in 1883 in Glasgow as Scotland's first insurance company, intended exclusively for total abstainers.

He obtained the support of Sir William Collins, President of the Scottish Temperance League and directors were drawn from prominent local businessmen, with John Wilson M.P.

The policies were directed at the “artisan class” and offered an expected ten per cent lower premium than charged by other insurers to non-abstainers.

[1] Within its first decade, the society was operating out of eleven branches covering the larger cities, including London, Birmingham and Liverpool.

[1] World War I caused a rise in claims, a fall in investment values and increased costs; like other life companies, the policy holders bonus was passed.

It was believed that "Temperance" was off-putting to prospective customers and in February 1951 the name was changed to Scottish Mutual Assurance Society.

This met with some resistance from policy holders but the chairman warned members that cost and regulation pressures were making it harder for society to compete.