Despite the uptick in approvals, the annual growth rate for net mortgage lending was negative for the first time.

The lender has also released new F1 standard buy-to-let products.

Rob joined the team at HTB as a lending director in September 2022.

Customers can access higher LTVs and lower borrowing costs, bridging the divide between equity release and mainstream mortgages.

Sat Bhandal has also been promoted to corporate sales director.

Laurel will help make further improvements to the lender’s services.

£154.7bn worth of property was sold in 2023, an annual reduction of 48%.

Nationwide has taken further steps to make its services easier to use and more supportive for customers with mental health problems.

The number of homes for sale are a fifth (21%) higher than a year ago, with buyer demand up 11% and sales agreed 15% higher.

The regulator has warned that the ‘clock is ticking’ on implementation of the second phase of Consumer Duty.