NatWest and Rightmove have announced a new three-year strategic partnership that will see the bank become the property portal’s exclusive mortgage lender.
From April, NatWest will power Rightmove’s Mortgage in Principle service, enabling home buyers to understand how much they can borrow at an early stage of their property search.
The agreement gives Rightmove users access to an instant, fully digital NatWest mortgage decision in principle, which can then be converted into a full application online.
The partnership brings together the UK’s third-largest mortgage provider and the country’s largest property platform, where more than one billion minutes are spent on average every month.
NatWest said the move supports its ambition to grow its digital mortgage business by engaging customers earlier in their home-buying journey.
Rightmove said the service would sit alongside its existing affordability tools, including stamp duty, mortgage and renovation calculators, as well as instant and in-person property valuation options.
By improving early-stage affordability understanding, the portal aims to deliver more informed and better qualified enquiries to its agent partners.
Solange Chamberlain, chief executive of retail banking at NatWest, said: “Partnering with Rightmove ensures NatWest can be there for customers at the exact moment they’re thinking about buying a home – combining our mortgage expertise, with a seamless digital experience.
“As we look to grow further, this new partnership expands the way customers can start their relationship with NatWest and will help us make homeownership a reality for even more people – bringing more joy and less stress to the home buying process.”
Johan Svanstrom, chief executive at Rightmove, said: “Our aim is to give people more confidence when they’re moving home.
“We help consumers to better understand what they can afford earlier in their home-moving journey, which in turn also helps estate agents or home developers have more qualified discussions with them.
“We’re excited to be partnering with NatWest as we continue to invest in innovative digital solutions to help make things quicker and more simple for everyone involved.”
SUPPORTING FIRST-TIME BUYERS
Rightmove said it attracts more than 80% of all time spent on UK property portals, offering NatWest greater exposure to home movers and first-time buyers. The bank has positioned the partnership as part of a wider strategy to support the next generation of homeowners.
NatWest has recently launched two propositions aimed at first-time buyers, including its Family Backed Mortgage and a Shared Ownership Mortgage, allowing buyers to increase their stake in a property over time while paying rent on the remaining share.
In November, NatWest confirmed a commitment to lend £10bn to first-time buyers during 2026.
DIGITAL MORTGAGE STRATEGY
NatWest said it now has the largest flow of digital new mortgage business in the market, following significant investment in its digital proposition. Enhancements have included improved live chat functionality, closer links to expert colleague support and faster mortgage decisioning.
Under the Rightmove partnership, customers applying through the portal will receive an instant digital mortgage decision in principle. Eligible applicants will then receive a formal offer within 24 hours, while those requiring additional support will be referred to a mortgage expert.
