ARs must demand guidance and training on later life lending

ARs across the market should be demanding more support for later life lending or run the risk of being left behind, mortgage and protection network, HL Partnership, has suggested.

The explosion in later life lending products, including the growth of retirement interest-only (RIO) mortgages, alongside innovation being shown in the equity release market, is in danger of leaving many brokers poorly prepared to meet the demand for advice.

Chris Tanner, HLP chief executive, said: “The number of calls we are getting from ARs from across the market has grown rapidly since the beginning of the year. Much as we are keen to recruit good individuals and firms, I believe that networks need to up their game in this area.

“Appointed representatives should be receiving training, policy guidance and access to tools from their network principal.

“If they are not getting what they need, then they should be seriously questioning the support they are getting. Networks and mortgage clubs, in turn, should be stepping up the education opportunities with workshops and events.

“At HLP, we have been working hard to ensure that our firms are fully conversant and comfortable with the latest developments in the market.

“We have already given our ARs the okay to advise on RIO mortgages and we have specialists in the group who can provide advice on cases where equity release is the most appropriate solution.”

Tanner added: “Every network should be working with the Equity Release Council to develop its standards and then put policies in place that are fit for the modern later life lending market.

“In my opinion, if they do not, then they are going to find that they and their advisers will miss out on what is shaping up to be one of the lending sector’s major growth areas.

“The lending market as a whole is evolving, but the demand for lending solutions for those approaching or have reached retirement is off the scale.”