Editor's note: This brief was summarised by The Property AI Newsroom from a report by Mortgage Solutions. Read the original article for full details.

NatWest Raises Shared Equity LTV to 90% and Cuts Mortgage Rates

NatWest has increased the maximum loan-to-value (LTV) for its shared equity purchase products to 85% and 90%, up from the previous limit of 75%. The bank has also reduced rates across a range of new business mortgage products, effective from 24 June.

The updated shared equity range includes two- and five-year deals, with a minimum loan size of £25,000. The maximum LTV for Help to Buy remortgages remains at 75% LTV.

For letting agents and inventory clerks, these changes may impact the number of first-time buyers entering the rental and sales markets, as NatWest stated the increased LTV is intended to make it easier for more first-time buyers to access property ownership.

NatWest has also made reductions to its new business rates. The two-year fixed purchase product at 60% LTV with no fee has been cut from 4.74% to 4.61%, while the option with a £995 fee has been reduced from 4.49% to 4.36%. The product with a £1,495 fee has been cut from 4.44% to 4.31%.

Across five-year fixed residential purchase deals, the fee-free rate at 60% LTV has been reduced from 4.6% to 4.53%, and the £995 fee-paying rate from 4.5% to 4.39%. The option with a £1,495 fee has been reduced from 4.45% to 4.34%.

Additionally, NatWest has lowered selected green and standard buy-to-let (BTL) rates, as well as residential remortgage pricing. These changes follow a previous rate adjustment by NatWest two weeks earlier.