The lender offers first charge, second charge and bridging finance products, including solutions for borrowers aged 55 and over.
According to the ERC, Together’s membership will add specialist lending expertise as the later life lending market broadens and consumers look to a wider range of borrowing options.
Rachel East, group head of strategy at Together, said: “Joining the Equity Release Council is about broadening the conversation around later life lending,” she said.
“As customer needs become more complex, the industry has a responsibility to think beyond traditional boundaries and work together to deliver better outcomes.”
John Barker (pictured), chief executive of personal finance at Together, said membership represented an important step in the lender’s strategy as it seeks to support the development of the sector.
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“The organisations that will define the future of later life lending are those prepared to help shape the market, not simply operate within it,” he said.
The Equity Release Council welcomed the appointment, noting the increasing diversity of the later life lending market.
Jim Boyd, chief executive of the Equity Release Council, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Together to the Equity Release Council. Their experience in specialist lending will bring a valuable perspective to our membership as the later life lending market continues to broaden.”
Kelly Melville-Kelly, deputy chief executive and director of risk, policy and compliance at the ERC, said the range of options available to later life borrowers continued to expand.
“The later life lending market is becoming increasingly diverse, and it is important that our membership reflects the breadth of solutions and expertise available to customers as their needs evolve,” she said.
