In response to the Equity Release Council's latest figures from Pure Retirement

05 May 2026

Simon Hayton, Pure Retirement Managing Director

“While it’s naturally disappointing to see reductions in case and lending volumes on both a quarterly and annual basis, it would be naïve to expect anything else given wider geopolitical movements and the subsequent effects on wider financial markets. This is something that has also been seen in the residential mortgage market, highlighting the wide-reaching effects of ongoing uncertainty and associated effects on consumer confidence.

However, the key takeaway is the increase in consumer enquiries and interest, signifying the extent to which later life lending is becoming a mainstream financial planning tool among over-55s. As an industry, we now need to ensure that products and processes meet consumer needs, helping to ensure that when customers are comfortable in proceeding, they feel that they have the best possible experience as they seek to reach their financial goals.”