Nationwide's Helping Hand program helped 23,000 first-time buyers into homes, a 53% increase, due to expanded eligibility and higher borrowing limits.

Nationwide Building Society reported a 53% rise in first-time buyers using its Helping Hand mortgage program, with over 23,000 people helped into homeownership in the past year, up from 15,000. The increase follows a September 2024 expansion that raised borrowing limits to six times annual income, alongside lower stress test rates, extended eligibility to 95% loan-to-value new builds, and relaxed income requirements. Since its launch in April 2021, the program has supported more than 63,000 buyers with around £13 billion in lending. The Outer South East leads uptake at 28%, followed by London and the South West, while the North West sees lower usage despite its lending share. Average applicant age is 31 for singles and 30 for joint applicants, with minimum income thresholds at £30,000 for singles and £50,000 for joint applicants.