NatWest Intermediaries is streamlining its packaging requirements for the self-employed.

The lender will no longer request business bank statements or SA100s as part of the initial packaging, to speed up the process. This includes rental income.

Bank statements will only be requested if NatWest’s scoring indicates they are needed for personal accounts.

For limited companies, just one year’s worth of accounts will be required, as this provides two years’ trading information.

NatWest said this should mean a smoother, simpler application for brokers’ self-employed customers.

Any documentation provided is not to be dated more than 18 months before the date of application.

Earlier today NatWest introduced new 6x LTI lending criteria and a WhatsApp channel for brokers.