Overview
- About 23,000 first-time buyers used Helping Hand between October 2024 and September 2025, up from roughly 15,000 a year earlier.
- Nationwide lifted the income multiple from 5.5 to six times in September 2024 and later lowered stress tests, added 95% LTV new-builds, and eased minimum income rules.
- Since launching in April 2021, the product has supported more than 63,000 first-time buyers and facilitated around £13 billion in lending.
- Regional take-up is concentrated in higher-cost areas, with 28% in the Outer South East and 23% in London, while the North West accounts for just 4%.
- Helping Hand skews younger, with sole applicants averaging age 31 and joint applicants 30, and can increase borrowing power by up to £45,000 for a £30,000 earner with a 5% deposit.