Discover New Opportunities | Supporting the financial needs of older clients is one of the most important responsibilities in the mortgage industry. As the population continues to age and retirement expectations evolve, advisers are facing a growing demand for guidance that is both responsible and flexible. Rising long-term care costs are also influencing how clients plan for later life, which makes specialist lending advice more essential than ever.

Mortgage networks, clubs, and lenders are responding to this shift with a renewed focus on later-life lending. Many now host Later Life Roadshows and Lending Events designed to give advisers a deeper understanding of this expanding market. These events reflect the increasing need for innovative later-life mortgage solutions and highlight the sector’s rapid growth.

These industry gatherings show a proactive commitment to supporting an ageing demographic. Older clients require tailored mortgage options that balance affordability, suitability and long-term financial security. Events focused on later-life lending help advisers understand these needs in greater depth and provide more effective support to their clients.

Discover New Opportunities in Later Life Lending

Later Life Roadshows and Lending Events play a valuable role in knowledge building and professional development. They bring together advisers, lenders and specialists who want to explore new trends, share practical insights and identify emerging opportunities. This collaborative approach aligns closely with the changing expectations of older clients who now seek more personalised retirement finance options.

Driving Growth Across the Later Life Lending Market

The commitment to delivering these events underscores the industry’s recognition of later-life lending as a key growth area. This segment continues to expand as more clients seek solutions such as retirement interest-only mortgages, equity release alternatives, and specialist borrowing options in later life. The events reinforce a collective effort to broaden the market and support the unique needs of older homeowners.

A Platform for Insight, Strategy and Innovation

These events provide far more than surface-level discussions. They create an environment where professionals can explore the challenges and opportunities of later-life lending in detail. Lenders, advisers, and key decision-makers come together to discuss strategies that meet the financial needs of older clients, from affordability assessments to long-term suitability and responsible recommendations.

Empowering Advisers to Deliver Better Client Outcomes

Mortgage networks and lenders use these events to equip advisers with the tools and insights needed for success in later life lending. By improving knowledge and enhancing confidence, advisers can provide clients with clear, personalised guidance that safeguards their financial well-being throughout retirement.

As demographic trends continue to shift, the importance of Later Life Roadshows and Lending Events becomes even clearer. They act as catalysts for innovation, collaboration and professional development. Above all, they reflect the industry’s commitment to supporting the diverse and evolving financial needs of older clients.

Opportunities and challenges in Q4 2023

The final quarter of 2023 continues to reflect the long-term impact of last September’s mini-budget. While economic uncertainty persists, the later-life lending sector remains resilient. At the same time, advisers are seeing a rise in client challenges, including reduced pension income due to inflation, pressure to clear existing secured borrowings and a growing desire to provide financial support for family members.

Recent research from the Equity Release Council highlights signs of a market transition. Lenders are now operating in a higher interest rate environment across both later-life and residential mortgages, and many clients are beginning to adjust to this new reality. In these conditions, mortgage advisers play an essential role. They help clients understand their options, compare the most suitable lending routes and make confident decisions. As Q4 progresses, adaptability and informed guidance are becoming central to successful later-life advice.

The later-life lending market continues to grow rapidly. Several long-term factors underpin this expansion, including an ageing population, ongoing affordability pressures and a significant rise in remortgage activity. Many clients are using property wealth to release funds, stabilise their finances or restructure their long-term plans.

This part of the market now covers a wide range of client scenarios. These include securing a mortgage during retirement, consolidating borrowing or exploring flexible options such as joint borrower sole proprietor arrangements. This structure allows parents to support their children’s borrowing capacity by being included on the mortgage without being listed on the property deeds. Solutions like these create new opportunities for mortgage advisers and highlight the expanding scope of later life lending in a changing financial landscape.

Why Mortgage Brokers Play a Vital Role in the Later Life Lending Market

The later life mortgage market is one of the strongest examples of how advisers can discover new opportunities by supporting clients with more complex financial needs. Many high street lenders face difficulties when older borrowers apply for finance, especially when they no longer have traditional employment or self-employment income. This is where the guidance of a skilled mortgage broker becomes essential.

Mortgage brokers understand how the later-life lending landscape works and can match clients with lenders that accept different types of retirement income. Most older customers rely on pension income or drawdowns from savings and investments. These income types often fall outside the comfort zone of automated credit scoring systems, which can struggle to assess affordability for this demographic accurately.

In reality, later-life borrowers are often among the most reliable customers. They usually have fixed pension payments, long-term savings and stable investment portfolios that provide a secure financial foundation.

Although the later-life mortgage market has grown significantly, it has not been immune to broader economic pressures. Affordability rules have tightened, making it more important than ever to ensure that mortgage commitments remain sustainable for the long term. This heightened focus on responsible lending has increased the need for expert advice.

For brokers, this presents a clear opportunity. Advisers who understand later-life lending can open new revenue streams, support an expanding client base, and offer valuable guidance where mainstream lenders cannot. It is a perfect example of how mortgage professionals can discover new opportunities and strengthen their position in a competitive market.

Empowering Clients in the New Era of Later Life Lending

The landscape of later life lending continues to evolve, and Consumer Duty has placed a clear focus on fair value, transparency and the prevention of foreseeable harm. Advisers now need to look beyond rates and consider how every recommendation delivers meaningful value to clients in later life.

Later life lending is not simply a financial calculation. It requires a deeper understanding of older borrowers, their lifestyles, financial pressures, and long-term goals. With the growing choice of flexible plans and innovative product features, homeowners now have greater control over how they access and manage their borrowing. This shift places greater responsibility on advisers and lenders to deliver personalised and adaptable solutions.

At Connect, we help advisers deliver later life mortgage advice that reflects each client’s circumstances. We monitor market developments, regulatory expectations and emerging product trends so advisers can confidently recommend plans that genuinely meet clients’ financial objectives.

Success in later life lending comes from recognising the individuality of every customer. Our specialist support allows advisers to structure suitable options, whether helping clients release equity, secure a retirement interest-only mortgage, support intergenerational gifting or manage pension income considerations. Our commitment to flexibility, innovation and responsible advice ensures that advisers are equipped to meet the varied needs of today’s later-life borrowers.

Empowering Advisers to Discover New Opportunities

At Connect, our focus is on helping advisers Discover New Opportunities through more substantial support, more innovative tools and a wider range of lending options. As a mortgage network, our role is to equip advisers with everything they need to deliver exceptional outcomes for their clients.

We understand that success in the modern financial services market requires more than access to products. Advisers need knowledge, flexibility and technology that helps them stay ahead. Our mission is to strengthen adviser capability and provide the resources needed to offer clear guidance and high-quality mortgage advice.

A broad range of products that unlock new opportunities

Our continually expanding product panel gives advisers access to a wide variety of financial solutions. This includes specialist lending, later-life options, intergenerational lending, and complex case support. By offering a diverse selection of products, we make it easier for advisers to meet the evolving needs of their clients and discover new opportunities in new and growing markets.

Dedicated support designed to help advisers thrive

Support at Connect is more than a simple point of contact. It is a collaborative partnership built on reliability and expert guidance. Advisers can depend on our team for case assistance, regulatory support, and everyday operational support throughout the entire client journey. Whatever the challenge, we are here to ensure advisers have the confidence to move forward and Discover New Opportunities.

Innovative tools that enhance efficiency and client experience

Advisers who want to stay competitive in a fast-moving market need access to advanced systems and digital tools. Connect provides technology solutions that streamline processes, improve accuracy and strengthen client engagement. These tools are designed to help advisers work efficiently, freeing up time for client relationships and business growth.

Committed to helping advisers succeed

By combining product diversity, practical support and modern technology, Connect empowers advisers to deliver the best possible outcomes for their clients. Adviser success is at the heart of what we do, and it shapes every part of our service.

We continue to champion innovation, growth and professional development, ensuring advisers have everything they need to Discover New Opportunities and achieve long-term success.

Frequently Ask Questions

Question	Answer
What does Connect mean by “Discover New Opportunities”?	Discover New Opportunities refers to the support, tools, and product access that help mortgage brokers grow their businesses, reach new client segments, and improve their long-term income potential.
Who is the Discover New Opportunities service designed for?	It is designed for mortgage brokers and advisers who want structured support, specialist lending options and technology that helps them scale, whether they are new to the market or already established.
How can a mortgage network help me grow my business?	A mortgage network provides regulatory support, compliance guidance, access to specialist products, higher procuration fee potential and day-to-day help, so you can focus more time on advising clients and less on administration.
Do I need to be an experienced broker to benefit from Connect?	No. Connect works with both new and experienced advisers. New brokers benefit from training and structured support, while experienced advisers gain access to wider product ranges, specialist markets and growth-focused tools.
What types of products can I access through Connect?	Brokers can access a broad panel that includes residential mortgages, buy-to-let, portfolio lending, semi-commercial, commercial, later-life lending, intergenerational lending, bridging finance and development finance.
How does Connect support advisers with complex or specialist cases?	Our specialist team guides the criteria, packaging and lender selection for complex cases. We help brokers place deals that may not fit standard lending, improving outcomes for clients with non-standard circumstances.
What kind of technology and tools does Connect offer?	Connect offers systems that support sourcing, case management and customer relationship management. These tools streamline processes, improve accuracy, and help brokers deliver a smoother client journey.
Can directly authorised firms work with Connect?	Yes. Directly authorised firms can work with Connect in a way that suits their business model. They can access product panels, support and tools while retaining control of their brand and client relationships.
How does Connect help with compliance and regulatory requirements?	Connect provides guidance, templates and ongoing oversight to help advisers meet regulatory expectations. This includes support with file quality, documentation and advice processes so brokers can feel confident in their compliance.
What are the main benefits of partnering with Connect as a broker?	The main benefits include wider product access, expert support, modern technology, compliance guidance and a partnership approach that is focused on helping brokers build a sustainable and profitable business.