The Yorkshire Building Society Group has said that demand for mortgages up to 95% loan to value (LTV) is staying strong.

The group, including its intermediary-arm Accord Mortgages, increased its 95% LTV lending by more than 50% in 2016 compared to 2015, and has pledged to remain in this market as part of its ongoing support of first-time buyers.

The Yorkshire Building Society Group did not use the Help to Buy mortgage guarantee scheme as part of its 95% LTV offering. Without government backing, the Group has advanced more than £650m in 95% LTV lending over the three years of the scheme.

In addition, the Group has supported over 6,000 first-time buyers to get on the property ladder during 2016 alone.

“Feedback from brokers suggests that demand for 95% home loans is still high, which is reflected in the level of business we have seen at this LTV,” said David Robinson, national intermediary sales manager at Accord Mortgages

“Some may see the withdrawal of the Help-to-Buy mortgage guarantee scheme as a blow to first-time buyers, however there are still plenty of options available to those with smaller deposits.

“We are committed to helping first-time buyers get their foot on the property ladder, and the availability of competitive 95% LTV mortgages plays a significant role in achieving this. We will continue to lend at this level and play our part in ensuring there is still plenty of choice for first-time-buyers and borrowers with small deposits.”