Nationwide Boosts Home Movers and Remortgaging Loans Sixfold
Nationwide has announced a substantial enhancement to its lending policies aimed at the UK housing market. The building society will now allow home movers and remortgaging customers to borrow up to six times their income. This move reinforces Nationwide’s ongoing commitment to helping individuals purchase their own homes.
Key Changes in Lending Policy
The updated policy particularly benefits new and existing customers looking to relocate or refinance. The lending limit is raised to six times their income, with a loan-to-value (LTV) ratio of up to 95 percent.
Requirements for Borrowers
- New customers must meet the following income thresholds:
- Sole applicants: Minimum annual income of £75,000
- Joint applicants: Minimum combined income of £100,000
- Existing Nationwide customers can move without a minimum income requirement.
- For remortgage applications without additional borrowing, loans may extend up to 6.5 times the borrower’s income.
Support for First-Time Buyers
In 2025, Nationwide reported a significant increase in first-time buyer mortgage activity. There was a 57 percent rise in mortgages taken at or above five times income compared to 2024. Additionally, loans exceeding five and a half times income surged more than fivefold.
This increased support stems from regulatory changes last year, including revised stress rate rules and updates from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA), which have enabled more flexible lending criteria.
Helping Hand Scheme
Nationwide’s Helping Hand scheme remains focused on assisting first-time buyers, allowing them to borrow up to six times their income. This reflects the society’s commitment to supporting individuals entering the housing market.
Illustrative Borrowing Examples
| Borrower Type | Sole Applicant | Joint Applicants | Existing Nationwide Customer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Income | £75,000 | £100,000 | £50,000 |
| Previous Maximum Loan | £412,500 | £550,000 | £275,000 |
| New Maximum Loan | £450,000 | £600,000 | £300,000 |
| Uplift | £37,500 | £50,000 | £25,000 |
Henry Jordan, Nationwide’s Group Director of Mortgages, stated that the recent regulatory changes have significantly benefited both first-time buyers and those looking to move. This initiative demonstrates Nationwide’s commitment to supporting various segments of the housing market.
