Lloyds commits £5bn to first-time buyers

In the first six months of the year the group has helped over 25,000 people take their first steps onto the property ladder.

The pledge will help over 50,000 people buy their first home by the end of 2012. This figure represents one in four first-time buyers and 140 new homeowners every day.

One in three mortgages on affordable housing schemes is provided by Halifax, including shared ownership and shared equity, while a third of all lending on UK new build properties funded by the group.

Halifax provides more than 25% of funding for the NewBuy scheme working alongside 21 housebuilders - more than any other lender.

A maximum loan to value ratio of 90% on the Halifax and Lloyds TSB core product ranges, including on selected new build properties with Halifax.

Stephen Noakes, mortgage director at Lloyds Banking Group, said: "This commitment is not about paying lip service. It shows that we're providing genuine solutions for people buying their first home. It's important that we dispel some of the myths about first-time buyer mortgages. People can buy a home with a 10% deposit or even 5% through the NewBuy scheme.

"Getting things right at the bottom of the ladder has an important knock on effect throughout the chain. With our commitment to affordable housing and new build through Halifax and innovative products such as Lloyds TSB's Lend a Hand, we're not targeting our support at a select few but making home ownership a reality for a whole generation of buyers."

Halifax and Lloyds TSB last week refreshed their product ranges, reducing product rates including NewBuy and new build by up to 0.20%. From Friday, first-time buyers with a 10% deposit can also benefit from £1,000 cashback in Halifax branches.