The London Institute of Banking & Finance has revealed full details of the changes being made to its Certificate in Regulated Equity Release (CeRER), which is now live on its website. 
Mark Heaton, Director of Corporate and Professional Learning at The London Institute of Banking & Finance said:
“Equity release products are changing rapidly, and the market continues to go from strength to strength. As a result, we’ve been talking to the sector to make sure that our Certificate in Regulated Equity Release remains relevant and up to date. We’ve made fundamental changes to the content, study text and course materials to reflect industry priorities and consumer needs. This updated Certificate provides advisers with a solid grounding in everything they need to know about the market, products and regulations to enable them to give their customers the best advice possible – with practical examples that really help bring this to life.”
Donna Bathgate, Chief Operating Officer, The Equity Release Council, comments:
“Today’s retirement landscape has evolved significantly with consumers facing a wide range of products and services to meet different and complex needs. We therefore welcome the news that The London Institute of Banking & Finance (LIBF) is refreshing the Certificate to ensure it remains fit for purpose. The update will ensure that the learning materials are reflective of today’s equity release market; are case study driven and interactive. In doing so, LIBF has established a platform to best equip advisers in the broader later life lending sector, one that will encourage a joined-up approach to later life financial planning that considers all wealth and assets."
“We look forward to continuing to work with LIBF and others in an effort to maintain high levels of competence and good consumer outcomes in this market. Ultimately this is a great step forward.”
The main changes
- The number of topics has increased from three to six, with new content including broader and more detailed coverage of lifetime mortgages. Key improvements have also been made in the text in relation to vulnerable customers, powers of attorney and complaint handling.
- A digitally enhanced course site has been developed which includes videos, quizzes and animations.
- New course content includes recorded interviews with members of the Equity Release Council and senior figures from within the equity release market.
- There are more practical examples and case studies that advisers can use in their day-to-day role.
- There will be an additional digital Specimen Paper available, and an update to the existing one, from December 2019.
Key facts
- Students studying the current version of the course can sit the exam until 5 January 2020, using the existing Specimen Paper as a basis. The new exam can be sat from 6 January 2020.
- Students who have already purchased the existing Specimen Paper A will automatically be given online access to the new Paper A when it becomes available. The current Specimen Paper A will be removed on 6 January 2020.
Find out more about our Certificate in Regulated Equity Release