Bank of England base rate announcement - Martin Sims, Molo Finance

30 July 2026

Martin Sims, Distribution Director at Molo, commented:

"Almost everyone expected the Bank to hold rates this month. The more interesting question is how the market has adapted to that reality. Inflation is moving in the right direction, but it's still above target, and there are enough uncertainties around energy prices and the wider economy for the Bank to take a cautious approach."

"What's different this time is the backdrop. Alongside a new Prime Minister and a fresh government agenda, businesses and investors are looking for a degree of stability. Monetary policy and government policy have different jobs, but together they'll shape confidence over the second half of the year. In that respect, a period of consistency probably isn't a bad thing."

"Earlier this year there was a feeling that if borrowers just waited a little longer, cheaper funding might be around the corner. We're hearing much less of that now. The conversations we're having with brokers are much more about making today's deal work rather than trying to predict tomorrow's Bank Rate decision."

"There's a danger in becoming too focused on the next MPC meeting. If a property only works because you're banking on lower borrowing costs in a few months' time, it's probably worth asking whether it's the right investment in the first place. The professional landlords we're working with aren't standing still. They're reviewing portfolios, refinancing where it strengthens cash flow, and continuing to invest where the fundamentals remain strong."

"That also changes the role of the broker. It's less about finding the cheapest product and much more about stress-testing the case properly. Does the rental income stand up? Does the property still work if rates stay around these levels for another year? Those are the conversations that are really shaping lending decisions. Our job is to support those discussions with consistent underwriting, reliable products and straightforward routes for UK, expat and non-UK resident borrowers."