Santander is making a major change this week
Homebuyers and landlords have received a rare piece of positive news after Santander announced a significant change from Friday.
The lender is cutting selected residential and buy-to-let mortgage rates, with some first-time buyer products dropping by as much as 0.23 percentage points. Santander’s 85%, 90% and 95% loan-to-value fixed-rate products for first-time buyers are amongst those being reduced, alongside selected buy-to-let product transfer rates by up to 0.10 percentage points. The announcement arrives just days after inflation unexpectedly dropped to 2.8% in April from 3.3% in March – sparking hopes that mortgage pricing pressures could start to ease.
However, brokers cautioned borrowers against assuming the reductions signal the beginning of a sustained downward trend, with global instability and volatile swap markets continuing to generate uncertainty.
In an indication of how unpredictable the market has become, NatWest raised mortgage rates across its range this week, citing ongoing geopolitical tensions and broader economic uncertainty.
Shaun Sturgess, director at Sturgess Mortgage Solutions, cautioned borrowers against becoming overly optimistic. He said: “A big lender cutting rates is great news but there’s a risk some borrowers will believe rates will continue to edge down.
“The inflation data is a wolf in sheep’s clothing for borrowers, as it masks the full impact of the fuel crisis caused by events in the Middle East and the fact that inflation could rise sharply over the summer. That could send rates higher rather than lower.”
Omer Mehmet, managing director at Trinity Finance, told Newspage that borrowers were being pulled in opposite directions by lenders making conflicting moves. He said: “This week we’ve had one major high street lender, NatWest, raise rates while another has brought them down. The lower rates that many borrowers are holding out for are by no means guaranteed.”
Riz Malik, of R3 Wealth, described Santander’s reductions as ‘decent’ and said any relief would be welcomed by households looking to refinance.
“Every little helps at the moment for those looking to move or refinance their existing borrowing,” he said. Mortgage adviser Martin Rayner said lenders were not merely responding to swap rates – but also to levels of demand.
“If a lender needs applications, rates come down. If they become too busy, rates can rise quickly to slow demand and protect turnaround times,” he said. He urged homeowners approaching the end of a fixed deal to secure rates early.
“Secure the safety net first. Then benefit from any reductions afterwards,” he added. David Stirling, of Mint Wealth, said Santander had bucked the trend of the broader market. He said: “Santander has done the unthinkable and actually cut its mortgage rates, putting it firmly at odds with the prevailing mood on the high street. Santander’s cuts are a rare flash of good news. Just don’t expect it to last.”
Ken James, director at Contractor Mortgage Services, described the current situation as a “yo-yo market”. He said: “It’s hard enough for us mortgage brokers to keep up so imagine how confusing this yo-yo market must feel for anyone trying to buy right now.”
Aaron Strutt, product and communications director at Trinity Financial, suggested that intense rivalry between major lenders appeared to be fuelling the latest reductions. He highlighted that Nationwide Building Society is presently offering two-year fixed deals from 4.35% and five-year fixes from 4.44%.
He added: “There were expectations that rates were going to rise in recent weeks, but the opposite has happened. Mortgages have got cheaper and they look better value for money.”
