Market Harborough Launches New Mortgage as 1.8 Million UK Fixed Deals Expire in 2026
Updated
Updated · IFA Magazine · Sep 1
Market Harborough Launches New Mortgage as 1.8 Million UK Fixed Deals Expire in 2026
1 articles · Updated · IFA Magazine · Sep 1
Summary
Market Harborough Building Society has introduced a “Discount Now, Fix Later” mortgage that lets borrowers start on a discounted variable rate and switch to one of its fixed-rate products before completion without penalty.
The product targets borrowers unsettled by rate uncertainty after Q2 2026 market instability tied to geopolitical tension, inflation pressure and swap-rate volatility, which the lender says has dented confidence more than affordability.
UK Finance data shows about 85% of outstanding residential mortgages were on fixed rates in 2025, while 1.8 million fixed-rate deals are due to end in 2026, creating a large pool of borrowers weighing certainty against flexibility.
With the Bank of England’s Bank Rate at 3.75%, the society said broker feedback points to rising interest in variable-rate options that preserve room to adapt as borrowers remortgage, move home or buy property.