500 qualified for lifetime mortgages

CeLM was launched by the ifs earlier this year in response to revised competency needs for new advisers post-‘Mortgage Day’. The qualification consists of a single module.

Mark Roberts, head of faculty financial regulation at the ifs, said: “The equity release sector is fast becoming one of the highest growth areas in the market which is excellent news for lenders and brokers alike.

“We have constructed our CeLM qualification around the well-tried CeMAP model and I believe this is why it has been so popular with brokers.”

Dean Mirfin, business development director at Key Retirement Solutions, said: “Having considered the options available, we are pleased to have opted for the ifs qualification.

“The quality of the study material and the flexibility and ease of arranging exam sittings fits in well with the demands of any busy organisation.”

“The Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) has said that all 219 candidates sitting its first lifetime mortgage activities (CF7) paper achieved a pass.

Paul Turner, CII qualifications and compliance manager, said: “A 100 per cent pass rate shows that those who took the CF7 exam prepared extremely well.

“The high pass rate for the mortgage advice paper (CF6) exam (previously the Mortgage Advice Qualification) is also a testament to the high professional standards in the mortgage advice sector.

“This is good news for those seeking mortgage advice, particularly in the area of equity release, and will boost client confidence and trust in the sector.”