🔔Important: BankingTimes provides information only. We are not authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to give financial advice. We act solely as an introducer to FCA-regulated partners for equity release, SIPPs, and other financial services. All information is reviewed by qualified professionals, but suitability depends on your personal circumstances.
Who We Are: Our Story & Purpose
At BankingTimes, we believe that financial clarity is the foundation of confident retirement decisions.
Founded with the mission to demystify complex financial products like Equity Release and SIPPs, our purpose is simple: to empower individuals aged 55 and over with the knowledge and support they need to secure their financial futures.
This page is regularly reviewed for accuracy.
Last Reviewed: 16 Jul 2025
Built for You
BankingTimes is proudly UK-based and created specifically for a British audience aged 55+. From understanding defined benefit pensions to choosing between annuities and drawdown, we offer support tailored to the UK’s unique retirement landscape.
We welcome you to explore our knowledge base, read expert insights from our contributors, or request to speak to a regulated financial adviser through our trusted partners via the Request a Callback feature.
Our Commitment to Trust & Transparency
At BankingTimes, we believe every retiree deserves clarity and confidence in financial decisions.
We cut through jargon with plain-English information and general guidance on Equity Release, SIPPs, and other later-life financial topics — empowering people 55+ to make informed choices that protect their future.
This information is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as financial advice.
We’re here to help you:
Understand complex retirement products in plain English.
Compare options like equity release, annuities, and drawdown with confidence.
Avoid costly mistakes through transparent, unbiased guidance.
Make financial decisions that put you in control of your retirement.
Our Story
BankingTimes was founded to make retirement finance clear, trustworthy, and accessible. What began as a small UK team of financial writers and pension specialists has grown into a trusted resource for people exploring Equity Release, SIPPs, and pension drawdown.
We started because too many retirees faced the same challenges: confusing jargon, biased sales pitches, and uncertainty over major financial decisions. BankingTimes exists to change that.
Clarity
Straightforward, plain-English explanations of complex retirement products.
Credibility
Every article is reviewed by FCA-regulated experts and financial journalists
Care
Your best interests come first. Always. No pressure, just guidance
Our Values
At BankingTimes, our values shape everything we do. They guide how we create content, how we support our readers, and how we earn your trust as a reliable source on retirement finance.
Expertise
Our content is reviewed by financial specialists and FCA-regulated experts to ensure clarity, accuracy, and compliance.
We combine practical experience with up-to-date knowledge of the UK market so you can rely on accurate, authoritative guidance across every financial decision.
Transparency
We are clear about who we are, the people behind our content, how we are funded, and how every article is produced.
We’re transparent about our partners. If you choose to proceed through any of our partner introductions, we may earn a commission — at no cost to you and without bias in our content.
Trust
We never push products or services; our role is to provide clear, trustworthy guidance that puts your needs first.
Through fair comparisons and real-world examples, you stay in control of your retirement decisions.
Accessibility
Our site is designed with you in mind: easy navigation, plain-language explanations, and resources tailored for people 55+.
Whether you’re confident online or not, we make sure guidance is simple, clear, and inclusive.
📢 Our Promise to Readers: BankingTimes is committed to delivering information that supports fair customer outcomes, in line with the FCA’s Principle of Treating Customers Fairly. Our goal is to help you understand your options clearly, reduce confusion, and protect you from misleading or biased information.
Contributors of BankingTimes
Our contributors are financial writers, editors, and qualified retirement specialists. Every article is carefully researched and reviewed to ensure clarity, accuracy, and fairness.
Katherine Read
Bert Hofhuis
Paul Sawyer
Let’s Navigate Retirement Together
We’re not a financial advisory firm, and we don’t pretend to be. What we are is a reliable source of information, guidance, and connection.
Whether you’re just starting your retirement planning journey or revisiting your options, we’re here to help by providing information you can trust, and by connecting you to FCA-regulated advisers where professional guidance is needed.
Contact Us
Got questions, suggestions, or feedback? We’d love to hear from you. Whether you’re a reader, partner, or contributor, we’re always open to hearing from those who care about clear, trustworthy financial guidance.
Get in Touch