Ged Hosty, Managing Director of Equity Release, at Partnership comments on today’s Equity Release Council Figures:

“Today’s figures clearly highlight that not only has the equity release market had an exceptionally strong start to the year but also the proportion of products distributed via intermediaries has continued to grow.  Independent advisers have stepped in to fill the gap created by the reduction in direct sales force capacity since 2009 when we last saw comparable figures (£477.7m in H1 2009), and they are working effectively with providers to grow the sector.

“Over the last two years, the second half of the year has proven to be the stronger period for equity release so it will be interesting to see if this trend continues – pushing sales back up to 2009 levels.”