NatWest Raises Remortgage Rates from 17 March 2026

What NatWest Announced on 16 March 2026

According to industry coverage published on 16 March 2026, NatWest confirmed that selected rates across its new business, existing customer and additional borrowing mortgage ranges would increase from the following day.

The changes include selected purchase, remortgage and first-time buyer products. Reported pricing ranges put selected two-year and five-year remortgage deals at roughly 4.53% to 4.98%, depending on loan-to-value, while some first-time buyer deals at 85% and 90% LTV were also repriced higher.

In other words, this was not a small technical tweak hidden in sourcing systems. It was another visible sign that lenders were moving quickly again after swap-rate volatility returned to the market.

Why This Matters If You Need to Remortgage Before Christmas

If your mortgage deal ends before Christmas 2026, the key issue is not just today's rate. It is the speed of change. Lenders have been repricing, withdrawing products and shortening deal availability, which means the best options can disappear far faster than many homeowners expect.

That is why borrowers coming up to the end of a fixed rate should already be reviewing their timeline. If your lender or preferred new lender allows applications three to six months early, you do not need to wait until the final few weeks. Our remortgage guide explains how those booking windows typically work.

Even if your current deal ends later in 2026, now is the time to check your credit file, review your property value, understand your likely LTV band and make sure you are ready to move the moment your application window opens.

Matty Stevens of The Mortgage Genie: Why Waiting Is Risky

Matty Stevens, mortgage specialist at The Mortgage Genie, says the lesson from mid-March is simple: when one major lender moves, others rarely stay still for long.

"Homeowners should not assume they can leave remortgaging until autumn and still see the same deals. The market has shown again in March that pricing can change in days, not months. If your rate ends before Christmas, work backwards from your earliest application date and be ready to secure as soon as that window opens."

That advice matters because a reserved rate is often a safety net, not a dead end. If the market softens later, brokers can often review whether a better product is available before completion.

Practical Next Steps for Homeowners

1. Check when your current fixed or tracker period ends.
2. Ask how early you can secure a replacement rate with your existing lender or a new lender.
3. Review whether a product transfer or full remortgage gives you better value.
4. Gather proof of income, latest mortgage statement and an updated estimate of your property value.
5. Speak to a broker before the market moves again.

If you want a second opinion on your current deal, get in touch with us here and we can help you compare the available options before more pricing changes feed through.