ECB to offer unlimited funds to banks at fixed rate

The ECB, European Central Bank, today stated it would offer unlimited funds to European banks at a fixed rate in the hope of encouraging banks to start lending to each other again.

What effect does this have on the UK?
It could possibly reduce the LIBOR rate which is currently at an all time high due to the limited supply of lenders willing to lend out their money. Most are keeping hold of their cash due to possible liquidity problems in the future.
If the funds can reduce the LIBOR rate it would make it easier, if not cheaper, for banks such as Norther Rock to borrow money to lend to its customers.
It will not solve the issue of the sub prime market but will ease the consequences the sub prime and adverse lenders have had on the market in general. It is still too early to tell if a reduced libor rate will help or hinder the current situation.
It all now lies with European banks to take up the fixed rate offers and start to lend to each other again.

How does this effect my Mortgage?
Well if you were looking for a fixed rate mortgage a few weeks back with a high LTV, the majority of the lenders were sourcing their finances from the LIBOR market. Now if the LIBOR rates falls due to more money being freely available you could see one of two things happening in the UK mortgage industry;

(i) Mortgage lenders make more profit.

(ii) Mortgage lenders pass on the savings to Mortgage borrowers in reduced interest rates.

With the number of mortgages available on the market I would predict more lenders leaning towards the 2nd option due to increased competition and vigilance from mortgage brokers who give independent advice.
If you use a good Independent Mortgage Broker he should be able to conduct a mortgage search for cheap mortgage with lower interest rates.

Daniel Morgan
FruitMortgages.com
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