These are aimed at providing an extensive range of support services for advisers, networks and distributors within the equity release market.
The ASSIST proposition will enable members of ERC to evolve organically, with the full backing of ERC, through a number of support service packages all available for a fixed monthly fee. ERC has implemented robust levels of support services and access to leading providers via a placement desk and broker support line which are also available through ASSIST and ACADEMY ASSIST.
ASSIST adds to a complete menu-driven package of services and covers all levels of business volumes ranging from brokers simply wanting to introduce cases to ERC, through to those looking to become a specialist in the sector, potentially via a franchise opportunity, or for those wishing to remain under their own brand but requiring a choice of facilities to build into their business.
ASSIST will provide compliance bulletins and regular newsletters. It will also offer the opportunity to download factfinds, marketing material, sales presentations and suitability templates amongst other service enhancements.
The ACADEMY ASSIST training proposition will include many of the support services already mentioned, but is tailored more towards larger firms and networks requirements. It will offer a wide range of training facilities and additional service enhancements, designed around the distributor’s needs and objectives.
Stuart Wilson, managing partner of Equity Release Club, said: “In these tough times advisers are looking to diversify their offerings and as a result we are seeing a significant upturn in interest from brokers wanting to enter the equity release market but without the sufficient knowledge of how, where, the costs involved and the training necessary. By launching ASSIST and ACADEMY ASSIST we feel we now have a complete proposition to address all these requirements. ASSIST will focus on where to begin, the income opportunities and tools available to maximize these opportunities and ACADEMY ASSIST will provide the most robust training and development strategy currently available on the market.”
