Business · Companies · 55 mins ago
CaixaBank’s mortgage growth slows as home prices and rates rise
CaixaBank’s mortgage growth has slowed to 8%, down from a peak of 50% in its strongest quarters.
The Spanish bank holds about a quarter of the country’s mortgage market and grew rapidly as home sales surged in 2024 and 2025.
Rising home prices and interest rates are squeezing borrowers: housing prices are rising by more than 12%, while interest rates are at 2.5%.
Chief executive Gonzalo Gortázar expects new mortgage lending to fall in the coming months as households find it harder to afford repayments.
The number of mortgages has already declined, but higher average loan sizes—from about €160,000 to €180,000—have masked that drop in the figures.
Three in ten of the bank’s mortgages go to people under 35, and CaixaBank also participates in government-backed schemes to help young people buy homes.
The bank says mortgages can also lead customers to use its other services, while its Facilitea Casa website attracts home seekers and supports its lending business.
CaixaBank’s mortgage growth has slowed to 8%, down from peak quarterly rates of 50%.
The bank’s chief executive expects new mortgage lending to fall in coming months as housing prices rise and borrowers face limits on what they can afford.
CaixaBank said housing prices are rising by more than 12%, while interest rates are at 2.5%.
The number of mortgages has already begun to fall, but higher average loan amounts have masked the decline in statistics.
CaixaBank holds 25% of Spain’s mortgage market, and three in ten of its mortgages go to people under 35.
- Who
- CaixaBank, Spain’s largest mortgage lender by market share, and its chief executive, Gonzalo Gortázar.
- What
- Mortgage growth has slowed to 8%, and Gortázar expects new lending to decline in coming months.
- When
- The figures were reported on 13 November 2026. Growth slowed to 12% in the first months of 2026 and is now 8%.
- Where
- Spain.
- Why
- Rising housing prices and interest rates, alongside limits on borrowers’ incomes, are weighing on mortgage demand and affordability.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
CaixaBank launched Facilitea Casa, a website for buying and renting homes.
CaixaBank’s mortgage lending grew alongside home sales.
CaixaBank’s mortgage lending growth had slowed to 12%.
The bank’s reported mortgage growth was 8%, and its chief executive forecast declines in new lending in coming months.
- Mortgage market share
- 25% of Spain’s market
- Mortgage growth
- 8%, down from peak quarterly rates of 50%
- Housing price rise
- More than 12%
- Interest rates
- 2.5%
- Average mortgage amount
- About €180,000, up from about €160,000
- Younger borrowers
- Three in ten CaixaBank mortgages go to people under 35
What people are saying
It is likely that new mortgage production may start to fall because housing prices are rising by more than 12% and people’s incomes limit their ability to meet loan payments.
Three out of every ten mortgages at the bank go to people under 35.