Interest rate comments from broker FORTO Finance

17 September 2026

Anthony Curtis, director of mortgage broker FORTO Finance, said:

“The rest of the G7 has reacted to rising inflation - with the US Federal Reserve raising interest rates for the first time in three years yesterday and Japan set to hike rates tomorrow. The UK is not magically immune to the global oil shock. We're not somehow a special case. With energy-driven inflation running at 3.1 per cent, the MPC should have reacted really.

“So, I'm surprised the Bank didn't increase rates. I should imagine many lenders feel the same way - many have been pricing a rate rise in.

“I'm sure that, for borrowers, another hold at 3.75 per cent is welcome. It gives the market some stability at a time when households are already dealing with higher energy costs and a rising cost of living.

“But people shouldn't get too comfy. The hold decision means that next month a rise is pretty much nailed on. This represents nothing more than a delay – a reprieve even. Higher rates next month are now all but guaranteed. Borrowers coming off fixed rates in the next six months are going to have to adjust to a very different borrowing environment from the one they entered.”