National brokerage Just Mortgages has announced the roll-out of a new series of workshops focused on obtaining equity release licences.
Over the upcoming three months, three such workshops will be accessible to existing brokers, all delivered by the knowledgeable learning and development team from Just Mortgages.
Aimed at equipping brokers with the essential tools and information required for their equity release certification, these sessions also enable them to join a group of nearly 30 advisers presently licensed to provide equity release through Just Mortgages.
Notably, each participating broker will be granted membership in the Equity Release Council. They will also benefit from continuous training, extensive support including 100% fact find checking, and guidance from dedicated equity release area directors.
Emphasising their dedication to later life lending, Just Mortgages had earlier this year joined the Equity Release Council. The firm had secured authorisation to counsel on equity release more than four years ago. It now offers the capacity to sanction current equity release advisers, in addition to a referral service that serves brokers from both the employed and self-employed sectors.
Ashley Edwards, the financial services director at Just Mortgages, said: “The surge in homeowners seeking to liberate capital from their properties for familial support makes the counsel of a seasoned adviser indispensable. The FCA’s recent observations about the later life market underline this necessity. Our exhaustive training, coupled with our association with the Equity Release Council, guarantees that our advice always upholds the highest standards. We’re eager to aid more brokers in attaining full qualification.”
Echoing these sentiments, Ben Allkins, the head of mortgages and protection at Just Mortgages, added: “Our primary goal is to equip our brokers to cater to the diverse requirements of the market. Providing options for additional licences is an effective strategy to diversify, bolster revenue, and maintain a competitive edge, especially in the light of the current focus on equity release and its significance. Ensuring positive results for later-life clients is paramount for the industry.”
Beyond equity release, self-employed brokers under Just Mortgages can also broaden their licences to encompass business protection and commercial advice. The firm’s self-employed model affords brokers the autonomy of managing their own enterprises, while also granting them access to specialist counsel, in-house training, marketing, and compliance support.
