By Libby Sibilev
Half of the UK population will qualify for an equity release scheme by 2010, Key Retirement Solutions has told delegates at the Mortgage Business Expo.

Dean Mirfin, business development director for the UK's largest equity release intermediary, which owns 32% of the market, said: "There's no other area that has such an opportunity, especially because the population that will qualify is already on your client base. It's not just about targeting those who currently qualify as 15% of our enquiries come from their children."

He pointed out that the growth of the market place is fuelled by the need to repay debts, bills and people's desire to go on holiday.

"Thirty per cent of people opt for equity release to repay debt," he said.

A great range of Equity release mortgage products are now widely available from most good mortgage brokers / advisers, www.Mortgage-Shop.co.uk