The lender has introduced new LTI multiples for customers who hold a HSBC UK premier account. Where an application is 90% LTV or less, it will apply an LTI of 6.5 x income (subject to an affordability assessment and exclusions may apply).

In order to qualify for the higher LTI at least one applicant must hold a Premier account at the point of submission.

Trinity Financial  product and communication director Aaron Strutt commented on HSBCs offering: “HSBC has gone from being one of the more conservative lenders to offering up to 6.5 times salary to higher earners. This policy change means they are more generous than virtually all of the other banks and building societies.

“We know the lenders are keen for business but this income stretch mortgage is punchy to say the least and borrowers will really need to think carefully before they take on such a big income multiple.”

He added: “Applicants will probably need to lock in for five years to get the highest loan amount so this does provide a bit more payment security. I am pretty sure this change will get HSBC a lot more business especially as many applicants only need slightly more generous loan sizes to buy the properties they want. Affordability is clearly a huge issue in the mortgage and property markets and HSBC is trying to address this although at the moment mainly for higher earners.