- Cheapest rates are now closing in on the 3.5% mark
Three major high street banks have kicked off 2026 by slashing the interest rates on their mortgages.
Halifax, Barclays and HSBC have all announced rate cuts this week, edging the cheapest deals closer to the 3.5 per cent mark.
HSBC reduced rates on deals aimed at first-time buyers, home movers and households remortgaging.
Barclays then followed suit this morning, announcing changes that will take effect from Friday, benefitting buyers and those remortgaging.
Highlights from Barclays include a 3.57 per cent two-year fixed rate mortgage with an £899 product fee, which will be available to those buying with at least a 40 per cent deposit.
For those needing to remortgage with 25 per cent equity in their home, Barclays will be offering a two-year fix at 3.78 per cent, with a £999 product fee.
This matches HSBC’s best buy 3.78 per cent deal, though the latter comes with a marginally higher £1,008 fee.
Housing market boost: Some experts think the rate cuts will encourage more buyers to press ahead with plans
Justin Moy, managing director at Chelmsford-based EHF Mortgages, said: ‘This is encouraging news from Barclays as the high street wakes from its Christmas slumber.
‘People purchasing property will see the largest cuts, with rates now in the 3.5 per cent range for those with larger deposits.
‘For those looking to remortgage, these new rates match the best currently available, which helps more borrowers take advantage of this improved pricing.’
Halifax has also said it will be lowering rates by up to 0.16 percentage points for home buyers from Friday.
Riz Malik, director at Southend-on-Sea-based financial adviser R3 Wealth, said lenders are positioning themselves for more business.
‘This is further evidence that lenders are keen for business and want to lend,’ said Malik.
‘All we need is the housing market to thaw following its budget hiatus and the UK can get moving again.’
Aaron Strutt of broker Trinity Financial thinks that the latest wave of cuts will keep the downward momentum coming.
‘These new rates are not quite market leaders, but they are not far off,’ said Strutt.
‘Barclays is now offering six times salary mortgages with two-year fixes priced just over 3.5 per cent which seems pretty generous when compared to the last few years.
‘With UK finance predicting 10,000 fewer property transactions in 2026 compared to 2025 and 1.8 million borrowers coming to the end of their fixed rates, competition between the lenders to issue more mortgages is likely to be even stronger this year.
‘We can expect to see some more criteria easing and hopefully even cheaper fixed rates.’
Babek Ismayil, chief executive at homebuying platform OneDome thinks rate cuts will help encourage more people to buy homes.
He said: ‘These rate cuts show lenders are firmly back in competition mode and keen to stimulate activity on the purchase side.
‘With affordability already improving as house prices soften, even modest rate reductions can make a real difference to monthly payments and buyer confidence.’