Accord has published a new guide for mortgage brokers on how to identify and respond to signs of economic abuse, produced with charity Surviving Economic Abuse.

The lender’s Growth Series educational platform has added a resource titled Economic Abuse and Mortgages: what brokers need to know and how to respond, aimed at helping advisers spot warning signs, respond appropriately and direct clients to specialist support.

The guide was produced in collaboration with Surviving Economic Abuse, a UK charity focused on improving awareness of economic abuse and encouraging better recognition and support across institutions including banks, courts, local councils and the child maintenance service.

Accord said the guide had been developed in response to the scale of the issue. It cited figures showing that 4.2 million women experienced economic abuse in the last year, while 750,000 women experienced joint mortgage economic abuse.

The lender also pointed to the role brokers can play in identifying cases where financial control affects a client’s ability to manage their mortgage or broader finances. According to the figures cited, one third of those affected do not disclose the abuse, but among those who do, 23% are likely to tell someone working in financial services.

Andrew Calder, strategic partnerships and propositions manager at Accord, said: “We’re committed to raising the profile of economic abuse. We believe that, as an industry, our role is absolutely crucial, and that colleagues across all parts of the intermediary market should be aware of their role in combatting it.

“We’ve created this guide to support firms who might not have the resources to research this topic in detail, including red flags, moments to pay attention to, how economic abuse can appear in mortgage applications, and where to direct victim survivors for support.

“The Growth Series was launched to support brokers and help them to grow their business – understanding how best to support clients in difficult situations is a key part of this.”

Lauren Garrett, head of financial services at Surviving Economic Abuse, said: “Around 750,000 women in the UK are experiencing joint mortgage economic abuse, where an abusive current or ex-partner refuses to pay their agreed share, consent to more competitive terms, or agree to sell up, driving survivors into debt and homelessness. Mortgage brokers are uniquely positioned to spot the signs and help survivors access support.

“We’re proud to support Accord Mortgages in developing this practical new guide, which helps brokers recognise economic abuse in mortgage cases and signpost survivors to information and services. A supportive response can help a survivor reach safety and rebuild their economic independence.

“At Surviving Economic Abuse, we’re ready to work with the mortgages sector to equip professionals with the training, policies and processes they need to improve identification and support, close gaps exploited by abusers, and help end economic abuse for good.”

The guide is available through Accord’s Growth Series, which provides free educational resources for brokers.