Equity release broker, Age Partnership, has launched a network for self-employed equity release advisers.

Age Partnership believes the network, named Equity Release Associates, offers self-employed equity release advisers who would prefer to have the peace of mind and backing of a bigger broker, the choice of selecting the level of support that they would like from a range of options. These include things like the use of the recently launched whole-of-market sourcing tool, AdviseWise.

Dan Baines, commercial director at Age Partnership, said: “From speaking to equity release advisers, it is clear to see that there is a gap in the market for the level of support, advice and resource that can be gained from working with a larger organisation, whilst still retaining the autonomy of working as an independent with their own client base.”

In addition to compliance, marketing and administration support, members will have access to technology developed to deliver efficiencies in the advice process, including automated recommendation packs and other features which help to save time and increase productivity.

Baines added: “At Age Partnership we have been passionate about the health of the equity release sector for many years. And with there being an increased amount of focus at the moment from the FCA, establishing a network which provides support to independent advisers seemed like a sensible solution. We want to help advisers to deliver the best customer outcomes, with access to the very best plans from across the whole of the market”.

Members will have access to the whole of market product choice that Age Partnership has established, including a range of special deals enabling Associates to offer their clients products and rates not available anywhere else in the market. They can also make use of a range of referral services including mortgages, Wills, Funeral Plans and Lasting Powers of Attorney.