Mortgages 15 February 2026 - 14 May 2026

Westpac Mortgage Rate Hike Hits Borrowers as Big-Bank Risk Comes Back Into View
···

Westpac Mortgage Rate Hike Hits Borrowers as Big-Bank Risk Comes Back Into View

Westpac Banking Corporation’s latest hike to variable mortgage rates landed on Friday, raising repayments for both new and current home-loan customers after this month’s Reserve Bank of Australia cash rate increase. At the same time, the bank bumped up some deposit rates—offering savers a bit more, while borrowers continue to feel the pinch. Timing is key here. Australia’s major banks are wrestling with rising funding costs and tighter household budgets, while fresh worries about mortgage growth have surfaced after the budget’s tax tweaks and this week’s steep slide in bank stocks.
May 15, 2026
Lloyds Banking Group’s £5,000 Mortgage Opens a Door — But Not for Every First-Time Buyer
····

Lloyds Banking Group’s £5,000 Mortgage Opens a Door — But Not for Every First-Time Buyer

Lloyds Banking Group plc is set to roll out a £5,000-deposit mortgage next week, easing the upfront cost for certain first-time buyers but maintaining strict eligibility rules. Starting May 18, the new loan will be offered via Lloyds, Halifax and through brokers. It’s tailored for those able to handle monthly payments but unable to amass a bigger deposit. Timing is key here. UK mortgage holders are dealing with renewed uncertainty around rates, as a Reuters poll finds most economists see the Bank of England keeping Bank Rate at 3.75% this year. Still, over a third now look for at least one increase before end-2026. Markets, though, were pricing in two hikes, according to Reuters.
May 14, 2026
UK Mortgage Rate Cuts Spread — Barclays, Skipton And Santander Move Before BoE Decision
···

UK Mortgage Rate Cuts Spread — Barclays, Skipton And Santander Move Before BoE Decision

Barclays and Skipton Building Society slashed mortgage rates on Wednesday, jumping into the latest wave of price cuts as lenders sought to claw back business following several weeks of turbulence in funding markets. That shift is grabbing attention, with borrowers hoping for some breathing room ahead of the Bank of England’s April 30 rate call. The Bank Rate—the core policy rate shaping broader lending—sits at 3.75%. Inflation? It’s jumped to 3.3%, topping the 2% goal.
April 22, 2026
Nationwide brings back 3.54% fixed mortgages as UK lenders jostle for borrowers
···

Nationwide brings back 3.54% fixed mortgages as UK lenders jostle for borrowers

Nationwide Building Society lowered its fixed-rate mortgage offerings again on Friday, bringing the lowest rate down to 3.54%. Rivals looking to attract fresh borrowers now face more pressure. Mortgages remain the major monthly outlay for millions of UK households, so even modest rate changes can tip the balance—especially for first-time buyers and anyone refinancing this year.
February 15, 2026