Mortgage lenders hike rates as Iran war sparks cost of living fears

WorldBusiness & Finance
9 Mar 2026 • 11:04 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

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  • Mortgage lenders are increasing rates, presenting "unwelcome news" for borrowers seeking new deals.
  • The rise in rates is primarily attributed to the escalated conflict in Iran, which has reignited inflation fears.
  • Disruption in energy markets, a consequence of the conflict, is expected to lead to higher prices.
  • Expectations for the Bank of England to implement near-term interest rate cuts have been pushed further into the future.
  • This shift in market sentiment has directly impacted the swap markets, which lenders utilise to fund fixed-rate mortgages.

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