What happens to interest rates if the base rate changes?

The Bank of England’s Base Rate is a cornerstone of the UK financial system. It’s the interest rate at which commercial banks can borrow from the central bank, and its adjustments by the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) send ripples throughout the economy, influencing a broad spectrum of interest rates that affect households and businesses alike.

Understanding how the Base Rate impacts various financial products is key to effective financial planning. This article explores the typical effects on mortgages, savings accounts, personal loans, credit cards, and specialist products such as bridging loans, providing clarity for UK readers.

Understanding the Bank of England Base Rate

The Base Rate is the Bank of England’s primary tool for managing inflation and economic stability. A rise in the Base Rate generally makes borrowing more expensive and saving more appealing, aiming to reduce spending and curb inflation. Conversely, a cut in the Base Rate is intended to stimulate economic activity by making borrowing cheaper and encouraging investment and spending.

For more detailed information on the Base Rate, you can visit the Bank of England’s knowledge bank.

Impact on Mortgages

Mortgages are highly sensitive to Base Rate changes, affecting many UK homeowners.

Variable Rate Mortgages

• Tracker Mortgages: These loans are directly linked to the Base Rate. If the Base Rate increases by 0.25%, your tracker mortgage rate will typically rise by the same amount, leading to higher monthly repayments.
• Standard Variable Rate (SVR) Mortgages: An SVR is set by your lender. While not directly fixed to the Base Rate, lenders usually adjust their SVR in response to Base Rate changes. An increase in the Base Rate often leads to an increase in the SVR, resulting in higher repayments.

Fixed Rate Mortgages

Fixed-rate mortgages maintain a constant repayment for a set period (e.g., 2, 5, or 10 years). Your current fixed rate will not change due to a Base Rate shift. However, future fixed-rate deals are influenced indirectly:

• When the Base Rate changes, financial markets adjust their expectations for future interest rates. This impacts the cost of funds for lenders, which in turn affects the pricing of new fixed-rate mortgage offers.
• If the Base Rate rises or is expected to rise, new fixed-rate deals may become more expensive. Conversely, a falling Base Rate could lead to more competitive fixed rates.

Impact on Savings Accounts

For savers, Base Rate changes generally have the opposite effect compared to borrowers.

• Rising Base Rate: Banks often pass on increases in the Base Rate to their savings products, leading to higher interest earnings for savers. This can make saving more attractive.
• Falling Base Rate: A reduction in the Base Rate typically results in lower interest rates on savings accounts, reducing the returns savers receive on their deposits.

The extent to which banks pass on Base Rate changes can vary, with some accounts tracking the Base Rate closely while others adjust more slowly or by a smaller margin.

Impact on Personal Loans and Credit Cards

The effect of Base Rate changes on other forms of credit can be more varied and sometimes less immediate.

• Personal Loans: Many personal loans are offered at a fixed interest rate for the duration of the loan. Therefore, if you already have a fixed-rate personal loan, a change in the Base Rate will not affect your repayments. However, new personal loan offers will likely reflect the current Base Rate environment, potentially becoming more expensive if the Base Rate has risen.
• Credit Cards: Credit card interest rates (APRs) are typically variable, but they don’t always move in direct lockstep with the Base Rate. Lenders tend to adjust credit card rates based on their funding costs and competitive market conditions. A Base Rate increase might lead to higher credit card APRs over time, increasing the cost of carrying a balance.

Broader Economic Impact

Beyond individual financial products, Base Rate changes have a wider impact on the UK economy:

• Inflation: A higher Base Rate makes borrowing more expensive, which can reduce spending and help bring down inflation.
• Business Investment: Increased borrowing costs due to a higher Base Rate can deter businesses from investing, potentially slowing economic growth.

What You Can Do to Prepare

While you cannot control the Base Rate, you can take steps to manage its impact on your finances:

• Review Your Mortgage: If you’re on an SVR or tracker mortgage, monitor Base Rate changes. Consider if a fixed-rate deal might offer more stability.
• Check Savings Rates: If the Base Rate rises, compare savings accounts to ensure you’re getting competitive returns.
• Manage Debt: Focus on paying down variable-rate debts like credit cards to minimise increasing interest costs. Regularly checking your credit report can help you understand your financial standing. Get your free credit search here. It’s free for 30 days and costs £14.99 per month thereafter if you don’t cancel it. You can cancel at anytime. (Ad)
• Budgeting: Adapt your budget to accommodate potential changes in outgoings or income.
• Seek Professional Advice: For complex financial situations, particularly with specialist products, a financial advisor can provide tailored guidance.

People also asked

How often does the Bank of England change the Base Rate?

The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) typically meets eight times a year, roughly every six weeks, to review the Base Rate. They can decide to maintain, increase, or decrease it at any of these meetings, or in exceptional circumstances, at other times.

Do all interest rates change at the same time as the Base Rate?

No, not all interest rates change immediately or by the same amount. While variable-rate mortgages and some savings accounts are often quick to react, fixed-rate products only change for new deals. Other loans or credit cards may adjust more slowly, influenced by wider market factors and competitive pressures.

What is the difference between the Base Rate and APR?

The Base Rate is the central bank’s rate that influences overall lending costs. APR (Annual Percentage Rate) is the total cost of borrowing over a year for a specific loan or credit product, including the interest rate and any compulsory charges, providing a comprehensive cost.

Does a Base Rate rise mean my mortgage will definitely go up?

If you have a tracker mortgage or are on your lender’s Standard Variable Rate (SVR), your mortgage payments are very likely to increase following a Base Rate rise. If you have a fixed-rate mortgage, your current payments will remain stable until your fixed term ends, at which point new deals would reflect the prevailing Base Rate and market conditions.

The Bank of England Base Rate is a fundamental driver of the UK’s financial landscape. Its adjustments have far-reaching implications for your mortgage, savings, and borrowing costs, including specialist finance like bridging loans. Staying informed about these changes and understanding their potential effects on your finances empowers you to make proactive decisions, helping you to adapt and plan effectively in an evolving economic environment.