Senior Australians Equity Release (SEQUAL) has launched an updated version of its reverse mortgage education program that takes into account the broader seniors home equity release market.
In the past, the program had been targeted largely at mortgage brokers, but SEQUAL chairman John Thomas said the association has since recognised the blurring of roles of financial planners, brokers, accountants and solicitors in the equity release process and the alternative products that have since been developed.
In partnership with financial services training provider Intellitrain, the online course will allow financial services professionals to earn continuing professional development (CPD) points, eventually earning a reverse mortgage certificate from SEQUAL.
Intellitrain chief operating officer Andrew Hetherington said he had been in contact with former SEQUAL chief executive Kevin Conlon last year to completely rewrite the program to look at the "bigger picture of reverse mortgages" by moving towards cultivating home equity release consultants.
"There's an annual renewal requirement (which means) if you've previously completed the course and you do it again, then you just get the ability to get registered for another year with SEQUAL," Intellitrain chief operating officer Andrew Hetherington said.
"You have to prove you have some currency in reverse mortgages before SEQUAL will recognise you're still registered with them."
