NatWest lifts fixed rates up to 27bps from 17 July as lenders reverse July's price war

NatWest is raising selected fixed rates by up to 27bps from 17 July, following increases from Barclays, Nationwide, Coventry and Virgin Money. Swap rates have climbed back above 4% on renewed Middle East tensions, lifting lenders' funding costs and reversing June's run of cuts. For buyers, some of the sub-4.3% deals from the price war are being pulled, so those mid-application may want to secure a rate soon; for sellers, dearer borrowing modestly trims what buyers can afford. This is a repricing off a low base, not a sharp reversal — fixes remain below last autumn's levels.