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Mortgage loans: one of the largest private banks lowered its interest rate by 6 points - La Nacion Propiedades
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April 17, 2026
Six entities have now decreased their interest so far this year
A major bank lowered its interest rate to align itself with other institutions. Daniel Basualdo
2026 began with a more competitive mortgage market than the second half of the previous year. After months in which banks raised their interest rates to very restrictive levels for consumers, institutions returned to competing with each other, offering rates below 10%.
Although UVA mortgage loans returned to the market in 2024 , after a hiatus of almost five years, since mid-2025 the interest rates on bank loans have risen sharply —above 10%—, directly impacting the pockets of potential borrowers.
When banks lend, the market picks up . When they tighten lending conditions, transactions are limited to those who can pay in cash.
In this context, one of the country's largest private financial institutions lowered its interest rate for the first time , joining others that have already done so this year. Banco Galicia reduced its rate from 15% to 9.5% for customers with payroll accounts (but it remains at 11.5% if salaries are no longer deposited there), aligning itself with other banks that offer rates below 10%.
The requirements and conditions to access this line are:
- The loan payment cannot exceed 25% of the income of the co-debtor (who may be a spouse, partner or family member at the time of granting).
- For first-time home purchase only.
- Be over 21 years of age at the time of application and under 75 at the end of the loan.
- One year of employment history.
Rates that are close to 10% are still "expensive" for the mortgage marketInna Kot - Shutterstock
It's worth clarifying that rates close to 10% are still "expensive" for the mortgage market, but the upward trend of last year is gradually being reversed.
The average nominal interest rate offered on UVA loans is currently 11.7%. However, a key fact is that the average agreed-upon interest rate is 5.93% , demonstrating that Banco Nación is currently the leading mortgage provider.
The banks that lowered the rate
One of the first to take the initiative was Macro: it lowered the rate of its mortgage loans and today they start at 8.5% for clients in the select segment who have their salaries deposited with the bank.ICBC cut its interest rate and now offers the lowest among private banks. The bank set a preferential rate of 6.9% + UVA (Adjustable Unit of Value) for those who deposit their salary, while for all other clients it stands at 9.9% . This breaks the 7% threshold and positions it as the most aggressive player in the private market.
The loan program allows financing of up to 80% of the property value , with terms of up to 20 years . The minimum income requirement starts at $1.4 million and allows for combining the income of spouses or immediate family members to increase borrowing capacity.
BBVA reduced the interest rate from 10.5% to 7.5% for those who receive their salary through the bank . And then there was more good news for its self-employed and registered business customers: it lowered the annual nominal interest rate (TNA) from 17% to 7.5% for independent workers .
Another institution that opted for a reduction was Santander Bank , which lowered its rate from 15% to 9.5% . Furthermore, it modified other conditions of its mortgage line: it now finances up to 70% of the property value (previously 80%) and reduced the term from 30 years to 20 years.
For its part, Patagonia bank also reduced its interest rate, lowering it from 14% to 12.5% .
Industry sources consulted by LA NACION state that "this decrease is due to the market's improved liquidity ." This contrasts with what happened in the second half of 2025, when financial institutions raised their rates above 10%.
Meanwhile, a major Argentine holding company with four financial institutions—Banco de San Juan, Banco de Santa Fe, Banco de Entre Ríos, and Banco de Santa Cruz — raised its interest rate from 9.9% to 12%. Therefore, the readjustment process is still slow, but we must wait to see how other institutions behave in the coming months.
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