Nationwide Amplifies Home Movers and Remortgage Lending Sixfold
Nationwide Building Society has announced a significant change to its lending criteria, aimed at enhancing support for home movers and those seeking to remortgage. This adjustment allows borrowers to access loans of up to six times their income, representing a sixfold increase in lending opportunities.
Expanded Lending Options for Home Movers and Remortgaging
Nationwide is fully dedicated to assisting individuals in purchasing their own homes. The new policy will particularly benefit home movers and remortgagers, allowing them to obtain up to 95% loan-to-value (LTV) on their mortgages. This initiative follows a series of regulatory changes aimed at improving the mortgage landscape in the UK.
Eligibility Criteria
- New customers applying for a home loan or remortgage must meet the following income requirements:
- £75,000 for sole applicants
- £100,000 for joint applications
- Existing Nationwide customers looking to move to a new home will not face any minimum income requirements, specifically for those transitioning in 2026.
For remortgage applications that do not require additional borrowing, existing customers can already secure loans up to 6.5 times their income at 95% LTV.
Support for First-Time Buyers
The increase in support for first-time buyers is evident. In 2025, Nationwide reported a 57% rise in first-time buyer mortgages above five times income compared to the previous year. Additionally, loans for those borrowing at 5.5 times income surged by more than five times.
This uptick in lending is attributed to the regulatory improvements enacted last year, which included updating stress rate rules and reviewing loan-to-income limits. Nationwide’s Helping Hand scheme continues to provide up to six times income support exclusively for first-time buyers.
How Much Can Borrowers Access?
| Customer Type | Sole Applicant Income | Joint Applicants Income | Previous Maximum Loan | New Maximum Loan | Uplift |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Customers | £75,000 | £100,000 | £412,500 | £450,000 | £37,500 |
| Existing Customers | £50,000 | N/A | £275,000 | £300,000 | £25,000 |
Henry Jordan, Group Director of Mortgages at Nationwide, stated, “Government and regulatory changes last year have significantly impacted first-time buyers. Our commitment extends to supporting those seeking to move or remortgage, reflecting our dedication to all market segments.”
