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Mortgage loans and self-employed workers: one bank lowered its interest rate for independent workers by almost 10 points
Source:
www.lanacion.com.ar
March 19, 2026
The mortgage “rate war” opens a new door for the self-employed with a line of credit below 10%.
By Candela Contreras
The private bank with the lowest UVA mortgage rate on the market reduced the interest rate for self-employed workers.Shutterstock - Shutterstock
Amid expectations regarding the future of mortgage loans , a private bank announced a drop of almost 10 points in its line for independent workers, that is, for monotributistas and registered responsible parties .
This new measure is good news for a group of workers who, in practice, face tougher conditions when accessing credit than those in dependent employment.
One of the biggest factors that can exclude self-employed workers is the interest rate offered by their chosen financial institution for their mortgage. According to official sources consulted by LA NACION , for those who are registered as self-employed but also have salaried jobs, banks typically consider both income sources. However, there's a key difference: if the applicant is solely registered as self-employed (without a salary account at the institution), they are subject to the higher rate , the one for those without a salary account . This represents an additional cost that could limit the number of loans approved .
Self-employed workers tend to have the strictest mortgage conditions. Shutterstock
In this context, while four entities have already decided to lower the interest rate on their long-term loans , one of them announced that its self-employed clients and registered taxpayers - who previously paid an annual nominal rate (TNA) of 17% - will now be able to access its most competitive rate of 7.5% , which results in a decrease of 9.5 percentage points.
“Being close to our clients allows us to understand what they truly need to realize their projects. We identified that the self-employed segment required greater support to achieve homeownership , and today we made the decision and are the first private bank to take that step and lower the rate to 7.5%,” highlighted Ricardo Castro del Barrio, Head of Retail and Secured Banking Products at BBVA in Argentina, adding: “We adapted our offering to provide them with an agile, predictable, and highly competitive financial tool that turns the dream of homeownership into reality.”
In practice, the down payment decreases by more than 50% . For example, for a US$100,000 property to be paid over 30 years, the down payment varies as follows:
Those interested can now run simulations and consult details with the bank or on the entity's digital platform.
Apartments for rent in Palermo, Buildings and Properties. Rental and sales signs. Mortgage loans. Construction.Daniel Basualdo
The data supports this situation: in February 2025, US$151 million in UVA mortgage loans were issued . This is the lowest amount since September 2024 and 25% less than in the same month of the previous year. Furthermore, in the first two months of the year, 13% fewer loans were issued than in the same period of 2025 , according to data provided by the consulting firm Empiria based on information from the BCRA (Central Bank of Argentina).
But this decrease in the preferential rate offered is due to the fact that some entities decided to lower their interest rates in recent months:
While the signs are still “small” compared to the significant rate hike seen in 2025 , they offer some relief to the Argentine mortgage market . Analysts expect the sector to readjust in 2026, and this will depend largely on bank lending.
www.buysellba.com
Source:
Créditos hipotecarios y monotributistas: un banco bajó casi 10 puntos su tasa de interés para trabajadores independientes
La “guerra de tasas” hipotecarias abre una nueva puerta para quienes trabajan por cuenta propia con una línea de crédito por debajo del 10%
www.lanacion.com.ar
March 19, 2026
The mortgage “rate war” opens a new door for the self-employed with a line of credit below 10%.
By Candela Contreras
The private bank with the lowest UVA mortgage rate on the market reduced the interest rate for self-employed workers.Shutterstock - Shutterstock
Amid expectations regarding the future of mortgage loans , a private bank announced a drop of almost 10 points in its line for independent workers, that is, for monotributistas and registered responsible parties .
This new measure is good news for a group of workers who, in practice, face tougher conditions when accessing credit than those in dependent employment.
One of the biggest factors that can exclude self-employed workers is the interest rate offered by their chosen financial institution for their mortgage. According to official sources consulted by LA NACION , for those who are registered as self-employed but also have salaried jobs, banks typically consider both income sources. However, there's a key difference: if the applicant is solely registered as self-employed (without a salary account at the institution), they are subject to the higher rate , the one for those without a salary account . This represents an additional cost that could limit the number of loans approved .
Self-employed workers tend to have the strictest mortgage conditions. Shutterstock
In this context, while four entities have already decided to lower the interest rate on their long-term loans , one of them announced that its self-employed clients and registered taxpayers - who previously paid an annual nominal rate (TNA) of 17% - will now be able to access its most competitive rate of 7.5% , which results in a decrease of 9.5 percentage points.
“Being close to our clients allows us to understand what they truly need to realize their projects. We identified that the self-employed segment required greater support to achieve homeownership , and today we made the decision and are the first private bank to take that step and lower the rate to 7.5%,” highlighted Ricardo Castro del Barrio, Head of Retail and Secured Banking Products at BBVA in Argentina, adding: “We adapted our offering to provide them with an agile, predictable, and highly competitive financial tool that turns the dream of homeownership into reality.”
In practice, the down payment decreases by more than 50% . For example, for a US$100,000 property to be paid over 30 years, the down payment varies as follows:
- With a rate of 17%: $1,147,158
- With a rate of 7.5%: $565,990
Mortgage loan conditions and requirements
To access the preferential rate of 7.5% + UVA, the requirements for self-employed workers are as follows:- Have a minimum of 2 years of experience in the activity.
- The holder must demonstrate a monthly income equivalent to or greater than four Minimum, Vital and Mobile Wages (SMVM) .
- Up to 80% of the property value is financed in terms ranging from 5 to 30 years.
- A key piece of information for those seeking more financing is that the system allows combining the income of up to two direct family members .
Those interested can now run simulations and consult details with the bank or on the entity's digital platform.
Apartments for rent in Palermo, Buildings and Properties. Rental and sales signs. Mortgage loans. Construction.Daniel Basualdo
Other banks that lowered their interest rates
To put this in context, the average nominal interest rate offered on UVA loans is currently 12.8% —the same as in February— for those without a payroll account , and 11.4% for preferred clients . The key point is that the average interest rate for those without a payroll account has been rising since November 2024, but the rate for those who receive their salary through financial institutions has decreased for the second time this year.The data supports this situation: in February 2025, US$151 million in UVA mortgage loans were issued . This is the lowest amount since September 2024 and 25% less than in the same month of the previous year. Furthermore, in the first two months of the year, 13% fewer loans were issued than in the same period of 2025 , according to data provided by the consulting firm Empiria based on information from the BCRA (Central Bank of Argentina).
But this decrease in the preferential rate offered is due to the fact that some entities decided to lower their interest rates in recent months:
- BBVA lowered its interest rate from 10.5% to 7.5% for customers with payroll accounts and today also includes self-employed workers.
- ICBC lowered the rate from 14% to 12% for those who do not receive their salary in the bank; from 13% to 11% initially and now from 11% to 10.5% for salary accounts.
- Santander reduced it from 15% to 9.5%.
- Patagonia, from 14% to 12.5%
- Banco Ciudad reduced its rates from 12.5% to 9.5% and from 9% to 8.5% for preferential zones.
While the signs are still “small” compared to the significant rate hike seen in 2025 , they offer some relief to the Argentine mortgage market . Analysts expect the sector to readjust in 2026, and this will depend largely on bank lending.
www.buysellba.com
