What's driving growth in the equity release market?

Equity release is on the up - or so the figures ­suggest. Trade body SHIP has seen the highest increase in sales and borrowing figures among lenders in Q3 2011 since Q1 2010. Meanwhile, retirement specialist Saga has reported year-to-date growth of 126% for its equity release advice service. Does this growth signify the ­beginning of much-anticipated growth in the equity release ­market? Or are the figures merely a blip in a volatile arena? Certainly the growth has occurred over a ­relatively short period of time and can be offset against the fact the market has endured difficult times o...