Nationwide’s decision to offer borrowing of up to six times income has seen a 53% increase in the number of first-time buyers using its Helping Hand mortgage over the last year.

Between October 2024 and September 2025 the society helped around 23,000 people into their first home through Helping Hand, compared to around 15,000 in the 12 months prior after it increased the limit from five-and-a-half to six times Loan-to-Income (LTI).

The number of Helping Hand completions on new build properties between October 2024 and September 2025 also jumped, increasing by 102%, in a major boost to housebuilders and the government’s housebuilding ambitions.

REGULATORY CHANGES

The period also benefited from regulatory changes including clarification of stress rate rules by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and relaxation of the LTI flow limit by the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) earlier this year.

Nationwide reduced stress rates in May, extending Helping Hand to 95% LTV new build houses in June and relaxing Helping Hand minimum income requirements in July.

Henry Jordan, Nationwide’s group director of mortgages, says: “Affordability remains a significant barrier to homeownership.

“We introduced Helping Hand in April 2021 to address this, and we’re delighted to see the positive impact it’s made for so many of our members, supporting more than 63,000 into their first home.

GAME CHANGER

“These latest figures for the past 12 months show that our decision to increase borrowing up to six times income has been a game changer for thousands of first-time buyers.

“But we’re not stopping there, and with the support of government and regulatory changes throughout 2025, we’ve been able to progressively increase our support for potential homeowners as we continue to put first-time buyers first.”