Nationwide has expanded its high loan-to-income (LTI) loans to movers and refinancing customers.
The change will see Nationwide lend up to six times income to both new and existing customers who are moving or remortgaging up to 95% of the loan to value (LTV).
To qualify for the enhanced loan, new customers moving or remortgaging to Nationwide will need a minimum annual income of £75,000 for individual applicants, or £100,000 for joint applications.
However, to support existing Nationwide customers who want to move to their next home in 2026, such as previous first-time buyers who have benefited from Helping Hand, there will be no minimum income requirements.
For all remortgage applications that do not require additional borrowing, Nationwide already allows loans of up to 6.5 times income up to an LTV of 95%.
In 2025, Nationwide saw a 57% increase in the number of first-time home loans taken out at or above five times income compared to 2024, as well as a more than fivefold increase in loans to those borrowing at or above five and a half times their income.
This followed last year’s regulatory changes, including the clarification of stress rate rules by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the review of the LTI flow limit by the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA).
The Nationwide Helping Hand scheme, which allows loans of up to six times income, remains only available to first-time buyers.
National mortgage director Henry Jordan says: “Last year’s government and regulatory changes have been a game changer for first-time buyers.”
“In addition to our expansion of Helping Hand to six times income by September 2024, they have enabled more support for those who need it most. Over the past year we have seen a fivefold increase in the number of first-time buyers borrowing between 5.5 and six times income.”
“Our latest announcement means we will be offering similar support to people looking to move or remortgage to Nationwide and demonstrates our commitment to all parts of the market.”
Nicholas Mendes, technical mortgage manager at John Charcol, also said: “Nationally, providing six times more loans than for first-time buyers across the country is a positive step, especially as the first wave of Helping Hand customers begin to look at their next step, a remortgage or additional loans.”
“It supports borrowers who are limited by income multiples rather than monthly costs, and it shows how lenders are adapting to the realities of today’s housing market. With the right advice, borrowers can use that flexibility to move faster and secure a deal that suits both the immediate need and the longer-term plan.”
David Hollingworth, deputy director of L&C Mortgages, added: “Nationwide is one of the lenders providing more flexibility for first-time buyers to increase what they can borrow where it is affordable.”
“The Helping Hand program is one of a number of programs developed by lenders to increase the chances of first-time buyers getting on the ladder.”
“Extending this to borrowers in the wider market should be equally useful. The next time buyers moving into a family home, for example, will no doubt be pleased to see them being offered a potentially higher loan.”
“Nationwide is not alone in exploring how to better tailor their lending decisions to borrower demand. Lower interest rates, an easing of stress rates and more flexible rules around higher multi-lending are transforming maximum lending levels. It could increase the opportunity to achieve a goal that previously seemed unattainable.”