Halifax joins HSBC, Santander and TSB with change for customers 'from Friday'

Halifax joins HSBC, Santander and TSB with change for customers 'from Friday'It's had a cautious welcomeCommentsMoneySteven Smith Content Editor09:15, 17 Apr 2026View 3 ImagesHalifax's cuts kick in on Friday(Image: Robert Brook via Getty Images)Halifax has joined Santander and HSBC in making 'positive' moves this week with a change that begins on Friday. It is slashing its home-mover and first-time buyer fixed rate mortgages by up to 0.35% on Friday, in a move that "feels like the start of a broader repricing" in the market, according to brokers. This follows similar rate reductions from lenders including HSBC, Santander and TSB earlier this week.‌Craig Fish, director at London-based Lodestone Mortgages, said: "Halifax joining HSBC and Santander in cutting rates is genuinely positive news and, yes, this does feel like the start of a broader repricing as lenders compete for business in a quieter market. But let's keep things in perspective. Rates are still over 1% higher than before the Middle East conflict began, so while the direction of travel is welcome, we are a long way from where we were.‌"Lenders are cutting because swap rates have ticked down slightly, giving them a little room to move. But swaps remain elevated, and with the US still using threatening language tensions could escalate quickly, and rates with them.‌"My advice to borrowers? Don't wait for rates to fall back to where you think they should be. That may not happen anytime soon."If you're a first-time buyer or homemover, this window of competition between lenders is your opportunity. Speak to a broker, understand your options and act while the market is working in your favour."View 3 ImagesHSBC has made changes(Image: whitemay via Getty Images)‌Riz Malik, Independent Financial Adviser at Southend-on-Sea-based R3 Wealth, cautiously welcomed the reductions but reminded borrowers that we live in the age of Trump.He said:...