New Trouble in Europe: Mortgage Costs - Wall Street Journal

Mortgage Lenders

LONDON—Banks in some of Europe's most troubled economies have been steadily raising the rates they charge for mortgages, making it more expensive for citizens to buy homes or keep up their payments at a time when such countries desperately need people to spend.

Banks in Italy, Spain and Portugal have raised rates on new mortgages by between one and two percentage points over the past year, as they continue to face high funding costs and concerns over borrowers' ability to pay.

In the U.K., several major lenders earlier this month announced rate increases on some existing mortgages, also blaming higher ...

LONDON—Banks in some of Europe's most troubled economies have been steadily raising the rates they charge for mortgages, making it more expensive for citizens to buy homes or keep up their payments at a time when such countries desperately need people to spend.

Banks in Italy, Spain and Portugal have raised rates on new mortgages by between one and two percentage points over the past year, as they continue to face high funding costs and concerns over borrowers' ability to pay.

In the U.K., several major lenders earlier this month announced rate increases on some existing mortgages, also blaming higher ...

  

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