Shortage of IFAs needs resolving say equity release providers

Ship says its members believe the most critical issues for the equity release sector in 2006 centre on IFAs. The top issue, according to Ship members, is ensuring the full compliance with required regulatory standards for the sales process among IFAs. This is closely followed by the problem that there is a shortage of IFAs prepared to offer advice on equity release. The reasons identified for the shortage of IFAs prepared to offer advice on equity release products include regulation, the longer sales process, a perceived "heavy handed" approach from the Financial Services Authority (FSA...