Surge in First-Time Buyers Using Nationwide’s six times salary Helping Hand Mortgage
Quick Summary
Nationwide Building Society has reported a 53% increase in first-time buyers using its Helping Hand mortgage in the past year as borrowers use income stretch mortgages to get on the property ladder. There is a growing choice of lenders offering six times salary mortgages through lenders like Bank of Ireland, Kensington and Newcastle for Intermediaries.
Nationwide Building Society has reported a 53% increase in first-time buyers using its Helping Hand mortgage in the past year, as demand for affordable mortgage options continues to rise.
Record support for first-time buyers
Between October 2024 and September 2025, around 23,000 buyers used the Helping Hand scheme – up from 15,000 the year before. The surge follows Nationwide’s decision to let eligible buyers borrow up to six times their income, making it easier for more people to secure their first home.
Recent regulatory changes have also allowed the lender to relax its affordability criteria, extend lending to 95% Loan-to-Value (LTV) on new-build houses, and reduce stress testing.
How Helping Hand makes a difference
Launched in 2021, Helping Hand offers first-time buyers enhanced borrowing power on five- or ten-year fixed-rate deals. Since launch, the scheme has supported over 63,000 buyers and lent around £13 billion – with particularly strong take-up in London and the South East, where property prices are higher.
The average age of Helping Hand buyers is 30–31, two to three years younger than the typical first-time buyer, showing the impact of improved affordability.
Nationwide’s Group Director of Mortgages, Henry Jordan, said:
“Our decision to increase borrowing up to six times income has been a gamechanger for thousands of first-time buyers. We’re proud to keep putting first-time buyers first.”
Do other ledners offer six times salary mortgages?
Bank of Ireland for Intermediares is the latest bank to start offering up to 6 times salary mortgages. They are also available through Tipton Building Society and Kensington for Intermediaries. Although some of the UK's largest mortgage lenders, including HSBC and Santander for Intermediaries, have eased their mortgage affordability in many cases, issuing mortgages worth up to £39,000 more, they are still not generous enough to help many borrowers onto the property ladder.
Click here to read about all of the other lenders offer up to six times salary mortgages.
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At Trinity Financial, our team of experienced London mortgage brokers specialises in helping first-time buyers secure the right deal. We work with all major lenders, including Nationwide, and can guide you through the full application process.
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