The Equity Release Council has launched its revamped members directory at its Later Life Lending Summit which it is hosting with the Association of Mortgage Intermediaries (AMI) in Sheffield today.  The directory allows consumers to find either an adviser or a legal firm to support them as they consider their later life lending options.

Choosing whether and how to release equity needs to be considered alongside other plans for retirement, inheritance and care so it is vital that customers find the right adviser who can support them or point them to a trusted partner.

The directory, which sees over 21,000 unique visitors annually, has been improved to allow Council members to showcase the full range of services they offer from advice on equity release to wills and trusts, pensions and wealth management.

Better geographic targeting has also been installed and consumers can indicate if their preference is for face-to-face, telephone or digital support.  With the range of customers served becoming increasingly diverse, advisers who are able to provide support in additional languages such as Urdu, Spanish and Arabic have also been highlighted.

In addition to adviser and legal services, the member directory also includes a useful list of lenders’ contact details for customers as well as a list of Council associates who can support businesses who may wish to consider entering the market.

Jim Boyd, CEO of the Equity Release Council, commented:

“The later life lending market is growing and innovating to help the increasing numbers of customers who are looking for support with borrowing in older age.  We are therefore delighted to launch our revamped members directory which allows our members to better showcase their offering to potential customers.

“Finding the right adviser at the right time who can discuss a range of borrowing options and the implications these might have on later life finances is a vital step for customers wishing to access their housing equity. This directory is a stepping-stone to helping people find the type of personalised advice they need.”

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Notes to Editors:

About the product:

Equity release allows older people to access the wealth in their homes, without necessarily having to sell or move. Lifetime mortgages make up more than 99% of the market. They enable people to borrow against their homes without making repayments unless they choose to. The loan and interest, or part thereof, is paid when the customer dies or goes into long term care. Since 1991, more than 675,000 homeowners have accessed £49bn of property wealth via Council members to support their finances.

About the Equity Release Council

The Equity Release Council is the representative trade body for the UK equity release sector with more than 750 member firms and 1,900 individuals registered, including providers, funders, regulated financial advisers, solicitors, surveyors and other professionals.

It leads a consumer-focused UK based equity release market by setting authoritative standards and safeguards for the trusted provision of advice and products. Since 1991, more than 650,000 homeowners have accessed £46bn of property wealth via Council members to support their finances.

The Council also works with government, voluntary and public sectors, and regulatory, consumer and professional bodies to inform and influence debate about the use of housing wealth in later life and retirement planning.

For more information:

Visit www.equityreleasecouncil.com

Email Instinctif Partners at [email protected]

Phone Libby Wallis and Andy Lane on (0) 207 457 2020