Halifax said that on average, first-time buyers are 33 years old - two years older than they were a decade ago - and that the average deposit paid was £61,090 for a home typically valued at £311,034.
However, while Halifax expects "modest house price growth" this year, Ms Bryden said: "Upcoming stamp duty threshold reductions won't make things any easier in the short term for first-time buyers.".
Amanda Bryden, head of mortgages at the bank, said the rise "likely reflects an improvement in mortgage affordability as interest rates eased and stabilised, providing more certainty for those stepping on to the ladder".
The bank also said that people stepping on to the property ladder accounted for more than half of all home purchases made with a mortgage last year, at 54%.
Ms Bryden added that "many are still teaming up to make the numbers work, with most buying homes jointly", which "makes sense" given the average deposit and house price.
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