assumed in the advice given in many
cases is that of the adviser not the
client.

education
nullfew years ago we may not have
predicted the signinullant falls in house
prices we have seen but the potential
was there and advisers should not have
been blinkered to the fact. nullchange
in the market should always be a manullr
consideration for advisers which is why
a discussion with the client to establish
their risk appetite is always vital.
nullce again this is all about adviser
education and ensuring we have an
adviser population qualinulld to the
highest standards and in possession
of all the upnullonullate facts. null is an area
much focused on by the regulator in
areas such as the Rnull, and while
the number of equity release adviser
bodies seems to grow exponentially, null
would like to see common ground on
standards and qualinullation levels. nulle
continue to work with equity release
advisers to educate them about home
reversions and the true range of advice
issues including risks and potential
opportunities that need to be covered
with a client. null has often been a difnullult
process to get reversions on to their
agenda, but we continue to welcome
the opportunity to work with a growing
number of advisers who are increasingly
contacting us for help and support.

assessMents
To aid the improvement of adviser
standards nullidgewater are strong
supporters of enhancing the
competency and credibility of all equity
release advisers. The Society of nullter
nullfe nullvisers nullnullnullnull which offers a
competencynullased assessment that
sets the bar for the standard of advice
required in this market, is an excellent
means of demonstrating knowledge investments and savingsnulland tax null essence we wish to avoid
and application of the wide range of planning nullnullnull nullality organisations any scandal regarding advicenullwe
associated advice areas necessary are already looking at Snullnull as a safe want nullms to ensure, through a
when advising in this market. haven in terms of its accreditation to compliant process, that any
nulll members must have gained its prove their credentials as advisers of potential product bias is removed
nullter nullfe nullviser nullcreditation Scheme the very highest standard. So although and that knowledge and qualinullation
ensuring they can advise to the highest itnulls not a cheap or easy option, it would levels are always of the highest
standards on a range of nullater lifenullneeds appear to be a means of ratifying adviser standards. null not, then quite frankly,
such asnullequity releasenulllongnullerm care competency and enhancing competitive the adviser, should not be advising
and respite care optionsnullannuities, advantage. in this area. n
mortgage introducer march 2010
27
MI p26-27_0310.indd 3 23/02/2010 11:02
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