Godiva enters into equity release

Initially available through a select panel of specliast equity release intermediaries, two of the four products are the first within the market to be ERC-free.

Borrowers can choose between a lump sum or a drawdown option. All fixed for the full term, rates for the former start at 6.15 per cent and those for the latter at 6.29 per cent.

All products incue a £595 arrangement fee and all come with free valuations.

Colin Franklin, managing director of Godiva Mortgages said: "Changing attitudes to retirement planning and increasing confidence in the sector shows there is a genuine need for this type of product. We are confident that intermediaries and their clients will like what we are offering."

Kath Tedson, director of Helen Brown Financial Services praised the decision to launch into the sector, saying, "It is exciting to see another lender entering the equity release market, especially with their ethos of really trating their brokers and customers fairly.

"As a small, specialist firm, it is also good to hear that Godiva's products are straightforward with no 'special deals' given to the larger IFA market specialists."