Mortgage WIN as HSBC fires starting gun on 2026 rate cuts: 'First lender to show their hand in the New Year'

The decision follows a reduction in the Bank of England base rate in December, which has eased funding pressures for lenders and improved conditions for mortgage pricing.

Industry professionals said the move signals HSBC’s intention to increase lending volumes early in the year.

Ben Perks, managing director at Stourbridge-based Orchard Financial Advisers, told Newpage: "This is a real statement of intent, and shows that they are keen to lend en masse this year."

Mortgage brokers said HSBC’s position as the first major lender to act in 2026 could place pressure on competitors to respond with similar pricing changes.

Elliott Culley, director at Hayling Island-based Switch Mortgage Finance, said: "HSBC are the first lender to show their hand in the New Year and have decided to make sweeping changes to their products."

He added the announcement was likely to influence other lenders’ decisions in the weeks ahead.

David Stirling, independent financial adviser at Belfast-based Mint Wealth Ltd, also said HSBC had moved quickly at the start of the year.

"HSBC are out of the blocks early in 2026 with sweeping reductions across all their residential products."

He claimed the cuts could increase competition across the mortgage market as lenders seek to maintain market share.

"This is certainly good news for borrowers as many of the other big lenders will feel the need to also cut to remain competitive, which could result in a rate war," he said.

Mr Stirling added: "We could potentially see sub-3.5 per cent deals before the spring with any luck."

Meanwhile, Mr Perks questioned whether January could see a rapid response from rival lenders.

"Will we see a January rate war as others undoubtedly join the fold?" he said.

Mr Culley said further announcements were expected as lenders reacted to changes in the interest rate environment.

"Rate reductions are expected from mortgage lenders in the wake of the base rate cut in December so I would expect more lenders to make changes in early January."

The Bank of England’s December rate cut has improved affordability metrics for lenders, enabling them to reduce borrowing costs while maintaining margins.

Market participants said the timing of HSBC’s announcement, coming in the first full week of the year, suggests a strategy focused on securing borrowers ahead of the traditionally busy spring market.

Kundan Bhaduri, entrepreneur, investor and landlord at London-based The Kushman Group, said the timing aligned with broader market expectations.

"Monday's timing for this rate reduction by HSBC is perfect," he said.

Mr Bhaduri said markets were expecting the Bank of England rate to fall further during the year.

"Markets are expecting the Bank of England Rate to fall to 3.25 per cent by year end," he said.

He claimed falling swap rates had improved conditions for lenders, with pricing now at its lowest level since early 2022.

Mr Bhaduri added that lenders may seek to secure applications early in the year as a large number of borrowers approach refinancing.

Approximately 1.8 million homeowners are expected to refinance mortgages in 2026, many of whom took out fixed-rate deals before interest rates began rising in 2022.

The refinancing wave has been closely watched by lenders and advisers, with competition expected to intensify as borrowers shop around for new deals.

Mr Bhaduri said early movers could benefit from capturing demand ahead of further market changes.

"Mortgage pricing wars rarely benefit latecomers, and anyone serious about borrowing should secure applications before rival lenders inevitably respond with their own new rates," he said.