A shudder went through Ireland’s ranks of mortgage holders on Tuesday as ICS Mortgages announced a surprise increase in its fixed rate offers for new borrowers. On balance, investors expect no change in ECB rates this year. For now, however, ECB rates are around a so-called neutral level – one that neither adds to or subtracts from economic growth. But if inflation stays on target and EU growth ticks over, then ECB rates will stay where they are. For those on fixed rate loans, costs will of course remain the same until their fixed period runs out.

Source: The Irish Times January 08, 2026 18:08 UTC