Halifax is in the news as UK banks face fintech and security issues and climbs in mortgage/personal data breaches; Halifax is the trading brand of Bank of Scotland, part of Lloyds Banking Group.
As of early April 2026, US 30-year fixed mortgage rates have climbed to 6.37%, up from under 6% six weeks ago, driven by the Iran war's impact on energy prices and inflation fears. This rise is slowing US home sales and mortgage applications during the spring buying season. In the UK, house prices fell 0.5% in March, slipping below £300,000, with mortgage rates rising above 5%, signaling a cooling housing market.
In January, the US saw a record-high gap of home sellers over buyers, with 44% more sellers, marking the second-largest since 2013. Prices are rising in some markets like Milwaukee, while overall demand remains subdued due to high mortgage costs and economic uncertainty. Meanwhile, the UK housing market shows signs of recovery with increased listings and falling mortgage rates.