Halifax jumps the gun with interest rate hike warning

MORTGAGE giant Halifax has apologised after sending emails to customers wrongly saying the Bank of England base rate had changed.

The emails saying that ‘the Bank of England base rate has changed today’, were sent ahead of the Bank’s interest rate decision tomorrow.

Customers of Halifax and Lloyds Bank, which is in the same banking group, were affected.

The emails stated: ‘We want to help you understand what this could mean,’ and explain the differences between variable and fixedrate mortgages. They also explain the support available to customers if they are having difficulties with repayments.

A Lloyds Banking Group spokesman says: ‘We are sorry for any confusion caused by an email issued in error this morning. The email had been prepared in advance of Thursday’s MPC (Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee) decision so that in the event of a rise, we could quickly advise customers and help them.

‘We’re emailing to apologise and confirm there are no changes to their mortgage or rates.’