Nationwide is the first building society to gain this rating - which is the second of three levels firms can achieve through the programme. 

Sole applicants now need a minimum income of £35,000 to benefit from Helping Hand.

The integration marks OMS's first major partnership with one of the ‘big six’ UK high street lenders.

Acre has also unveiled newly enhanced pre-submission checks on its platform.

Nationwide also introducing a range of new £1,499 fee products at 90% and 95% LTV.

Nationwide is also removing the requirement for these applicants to provide at least 25% of the total deposit from their own resources.

Transactions are predicted to accelerate before April's stamp duty changes.

Nationwide has reduced mortgage rates by up to 0.25%.

The government and FCA are considering relaxing mortgage affordability rules to boost first-time buyer lending.

Rates now start from 4.09%.