Homeowners looking to renew their mortgage before the end of the year have received a boost, with four major lenders reducing the interest rates on some deals.

Despite the Bank of England maintaining the base rate at 4 per cent, and not being expected to alter it before December at the earliest, there remains movement in the wider market around both savings and mortgages.

Last week, Zopa bank brought out an inflation-beating 4.75 per cent easy-access savings account, and now some households have another positive to consider, with lowered rates on mortgage deals.

Barclays announced five five-year products with newly lowered rates, ranging from 60 per cent to 95 per cent loan-to-value, with the lowest interest rate among these products coming in at 3.91 per cent.

HSBC did not announce exact cuts, but reduced a raft of residential mortgage products, with Santander then following suit, lowering fixed rates by as much as 0.36 per cent in some three-year fixes. On Monday, NatWest also cut rates, including lowering a two-year fixed deal to 3.77 per cent.

More than 400,000 homeowners will be coming to the end of a fixed-term deal before 31 December, mortgage and finance expert Jo Hodgson told The Independent, with the vast majority likely to need to renew their agreement.

Those who took out two-year deals initially will find interest rates are lower this time round – but those coming to the end of post-Covid purchases on five-year fixes will be preparing for a rise in payments.

This month’s lower-than-expected inflation reading has potentially paved the way for the Bank of England to lower interest rates further in the coming months, but few expect there to be more than one cut in the next three months, meaning that swap rates – which mortgage deals are based on – have already priced in most potential movements.

“There are early positive signs for mortgage rates after the rate of inflation for September held steady, undershooting expectation,” David Hollingworth from L&C Mortgages said.

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“Hopes that inflation may have peaked at a lower level than expected have opened the door to a reduction in the Bank of England base rate before the end of the year. As market forecasting has improved, swap rates have fallen further, which should give lenders the chance to improve their fixed rates.

“We know that once there are moves from some of the big players, it will inevitably lead to others following suit. If the more positive outlook in the markets holds firm, we could see another series of repricing moves that will cut fixed-rate pricing.

“However, with the Budget to come, it’s hard to predict where sentiment could head from here. That’s already brought some borrower anxiety into play, and so there’s still a strong case for taking a rate now and keeping a close eye on market movement from here. That will give security, but still allow a jump to a lower rate before completion if we see further improvements.”

The State Bank of Pakistan’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) on Monday kept the policy rate unchanged at 11%, extending a pause in monetary easing for a fourth consecutive meeting.

The central bank had earlier reduced the policy rate by 1 percentage point to 11% on May 5, 2025.

Outlook improves but risks linger

The MPC noted that headline inflation rose to 5.6% in September from 3.0% in August, while core inflation remained at 7.3%. The Committee assessed that flood damage to the broader economy has been smaller than previously feared, with crop losses likely contained, minimal supply disruptions, and high-frequency indicators showing firmer momentum.

With the earlier reduction still transmitting through the economy, the MPC judged the real policy rate “adequately positive” to guide inflation toward the 5–7% medium-term target, even as risks persist from volatile global commodities, evolving tariff dynamics that could challenge exports, and potential domestic food-supply frictions.

Since the last meeting, several developments have shaped the outlook. The Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) revised the Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) gross domestic product (GDP) growth to 3.0% from 2.7%. Initial estimates for major Kharif crops remained close to last year’s production despite floods. Notably, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) foreign exchange (FX) reserves continued to increase even after repayment of a $500 million Eurobond.

Pakistan reached a staff-level agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on reviews of the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF).

Meanwhile, inflation expectations of consumers and businesses softened in the latest State Bank of Pakistan–Institute of Business Administration (SBP–IBA) sentiment surveys, while global commodity prices showed mixed trends and heightened oil volatility.

Reserves build as growth momentum forms

Recent high-frequency indicators point to sustained growth momentum, the statement noted. Major Kharif estimates turned out better than expected, corroborated by satellite imagery showing healthier vegetation. Improved input conditions and an expected post-flood yield uptick support better prospects for Rabi crops.

In industry, Large-Scale Manufacturing (LSM) expanded 4.4% year-on-year in July–August Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26), versus a marginal contraction a year earlier.

Stronger sales of automobiles, cement, fertilisers and petroleum, oil and lubricants (POL) products, alongside firmer private-sector credit and improved business sentiment, have lifted the industrial outlook, with spillovers expected into services. On current trends, real GDP growth is now assessed to be in the upper half of the previously projected 3.25%–4.25% range.

The current account (CA) recorded a $110 million surplus in September 2025, limiting the first quarter (Q1) of FY26 deficit to $594 million, broadly in line with expectations. Exports continued to grow moderately, while faster-rising imports widened the trade gap; workers’ remittances remained resilient.

Together with net financial inflows, this lifted SBP FX reserves to $14.5 billion as of October 17. Looking ahead, imports are likely to gain traction with activity, though flood-related import needs seem lower than earlier assumed, and the outlook for remittances has improved.

Overall, the current account deficit (CAD) is projected at 0–1% of GDP in FY26, with FX reserves expected to reach $15.5 billion by December 2025 and around $17.8 billion by June 2026, assuming planned official inflows.

In Q1-FY26, tax collection grew 12.5% year-on-year to Rs2.9 trillion, Rs198 billion below target. Higher SBP profit transfers and Petroleum Development Levy (PDL) receipts should bolster non-tax revenue, according to the statement.

Both the overall balance and the primary balance are likely to post surpluses for the quarter. The MPC expects post-flood rehabilitation to be financed within budgeted resources and reiterated the need for continued fiscal discipline to meet balance targets and secure long-term sustainability.

Broad money (M2) growth decelerated to 12.3% as of October 10, driven by a decline in the banking system’s net domestic assets, mainly due to sharply slower bank credit to non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs).

Net budgetary borrowing remained contained, creating space for the private sector: private-sector credit (PSC) growth rose to 17%, broad-based across working capital, fixed investment and consumer loans, with notable demand from textiles, telecommunications, chemicals, and wholesale/retail trade.

On the liability side, currency in circulation rose year-on-year while deposit growth decelerated, lifting the currency-to-deposit ratio (CDR) to 37.6% and keeping reserve money growth elevated.

The rise in headline inflation to 5.6% in September reflected flood-related food price increases, an uptick in energy prices, and sticky core inflation. Unlike past flood episodes, the food-price surge appears milder than feared, with the Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI) showing slower increases in wheat and allied products, sugar, and perishables.

The MPC nevertheless expects inflation to exceed the 5–7% band for a few months in the second half (H2) of FY26 before reverting to the target range in FY27. Key risks cited by the MPC include global commodity volatility, the timing and magnitude of future energy-price adjustments, and uncertainty around prices of wheat and perishable food items.

Last Updated:October 27, 2025, 17:22 IST

Overspending on credit cards can hurt finances. Spending Rs 40,000 out of a Rs 50,000 limit may reduce credit score and even lead to a lower card limit

Credit and debit cards, often referred to as plastic money, have revolutionised the shopping experience, making it incredibly easy and convenient. Credit cards, in particular, allow consumers to purchase their favourite items instantly, even without sufficient funds in their accounts. However, this convenience comes with potential financial pitfalls. If not managed properly, credit cards can become a financial burden. Understanding these risks can help individuals avoid such traps.

High Interest Rates Can Trap You In Debt

One of the primary dangers of credit cards is the high interest rates.

• Consider the case of Rahul, who borrowed Rs 10,000 with the intention of repaying it the following month. However, with interest rates ranging between 18-36%, his debt ballooned to Rs 15,000 within six months, trapping him in a cycle of debt.
• This illustrates the danger of carrying an outstanding balance on a credit card, where high interest rates can turn a small debt into a substantial one.
• To avoid this, it is crucial to pay the full bill each month and prioritise clearing the card with the highest interest rate first. Additionally, opting for the EMI (Equated Monthly Installment) option, while checking the interest calculator, can be beneficial.

The Ghost Of Late Payments

• Late payments pose another significant risk, as they can negatively impact credit scores for up to seven years. This can affect not only the ability to secure loans but also job prospects and rental applications.
• Setting up auto-payment and calendar reminders can help avoid late payments. At the very least, paying the minimum amount on time is essential, though full payment is always preferable.

The Danger Of Overspending

• Overspending is a common issue with credit cards. For example, if the card limit is Rs 50,000 and Rs 40,000 is spent, it could lead to a reduced credit score and a lowered card limit.
• Spending more than 30% of the credit limit can label a person as ‘high risk’ to banks.
• To prevent this, it is advisable to follow the 30% rule, using budget apps and distinguishing between needs and wants.

The ‘Greed Trap’ Of Credit Card Rewards

• Many people end up shopping more than needed just to earn cashback. Rewards worth Rs 2,000 often lead to an extra spend of Rs 20,000.
• The lure of points, miles, or cashback creates an illusion of savings — when in reality, it’s overspending.
• To prevention this, rewards should be treated as a bonus, not a goal. Spending must remain within limits, and expenses should be tracked using a budgeting app.

The Hidden Ghost Of Secret Charges

• Credit cards often include hidden charges. For instance, Vikram used his card during an overseas trip and was shocked to see an additional bill of Rs 5,000 — comprising a 3% foreign transaction fee, annual fee, and late payment charge.
• Annual fees, overlimit penalties, and currency conversion costs are among the many charges that often go unnoticed.
• To prevent this, the fine print must be reviewed carefully before selecting a card. Monthly statements should be checked for unexplained charges, and opting for a no-fee card is advisable.

Follow These 3 Golden Credit Card Rules

To be a savvy credit card user, one should follow these three golden rules:

• Track every transaction with apps like Mint or PhonePe,
• Create an emergency fund instead of relying on credit cards,
• Stay informed about RBI guidelines, which cap interest rates at 36%. Smart usage is the key to avoiding financial pitfalls.

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