10 Nov, 2020 @ 20:00
1 min read

Negative interest rates in Spain to be ‘new normal’ until 2031

1x 1
A logo sits on display ouside the Caixabank SA headquarters in Madrid , Spain, on Thrusday, Oct. 5, 2017. Photographer: Angel Navarrete/Bloomberg

MORTGAGE repayments in Spain won’t go up for a decade, according to one of Spain’s leading bankers. 

CEO of Caixabank Gonzalo Cortazar said the Euribor rate – which currently stands at a historic low of  -0.468% – will be the ‘new normal’ for banks until 2031.

Euribor, which is the interest rate at which credit institutions lend money to each other, has not stopped falling since the coronavirus pandemic began. 

The negative rates mean the cost of repayments on variable mortgages have plummeted in the last few months, with some homeowners even seeing reductions of up to €120 on the price of their loans for next year. 

 1x 1

Now Spanish analysts have revealed they foresee banks gearing up to offer steep discounts on fixed mortgages to pull in customers.

Forecasters predict that lenders will be forced to slash rates on fixed deals to steer people away from variable rates. Meanwhile some banks may insert clauses saying interest payments will never fall below zero.

And while this is all good news for homeowners or prospective buyers, these negative rates are putting pressure on the banking sector and add to other foreseeable consequences of the coronavirus crisis in Spain. 

Cortazar has pointed out that with this situation and with the prospects that non-performing loans will rise during 2021, banks have no choice but to find ways to improve income and accelerate efficiency.

He highlighted plans to merge CaixaBank with Bankia in order to weather the storm. 

“Until then, customers will not perceive that there is a single entity,” he said.

Kirsty Mckenzie

Kirsty is a journalist who has reported on news, entertainment, food and drink, travel and features since 2015. She lives in the south of Spain.
Got a story? Email kirsty@theolivepress.es

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Hundreds Of Mistreated Animals Rescued From Illegal Zoo In Spain S Murcia Region
Previous Story

Hundreds of mistreated animals rescued from illegal zoo in Spain’s Murcia region

Gibraltar Business Covid
Next Story

OPINION: Restaurant and bar restrictions in Andalucia are important but the service industry is far from ‘non-essential’

Latest from Business & Finance

Woman in Spain's Valencia tricked out of €30,000 by online romance scam

Affiliate Marketing Tips and Strategies

When it comes to spreading the word about products and services online, there is a powerful strategy that involves collaborating with like-minded individuals and organizations.
Go toTop

More From The Olive Press