By Silvia Núñez Fernandez
In the presentation of the 2025 results, the CEO of Bankinter, Gloria Ortiz, He issued a warning that has had a major impact on the financial press: there are practices in the Spanish mortgage market which can be considered irrational and unsustainable in the long term.
Although there is no talk of a real estate bubble like the one in 2008, the way some entities are marketing properties is concerning. very long-term mortgages with aggressive conditions, This could lead to future conflicts between banks and customers.
What does “irrational” really mean in the mortgage market?
When we talk about imprudent or unsustainable behaviors, we are referring to situations such as:
- Offers from 30-year mortgages with abnormally low fixed rates, below the actual cost of financing.
- Banks that prioritize acquiring customers over the future viability of the loan.
- A genuine mortgage terms war which generates legal and economic uncertainty.
According to Gloria Ortiz herself, her organization has decided not to participate in this aggressive competition, opting instead for more prudent and sustainable mortgage portfolios.
This not only affects the commercial strategies of banks, but also... financial risks assumed by families by signing up for these types of long-term products.
Why should you worry if you have or are going to have a mortgage?
Although this situation does not imply an imminent crisis, it does raise several real risks:
- Many people sign mortgages focusing only on the initial rate without considering future scenarios.
- The high price of housing combined with very long terms can put a strain on family finances.
- Intense banking competition can lead to practices that do not always benefit the consumer.
This situation affects both those who already have a mortgage and those who are thinking about getting one. buy a home and take out a mortgage or those who want refinance your loan.
Banking and mortgage mediation: an increasingly necessary solution
Given such a complex scenario, the banking and mortgage mediation It becomes a fundamental tool for:
- Clearly understand the actual terms of the loan.
- Negotiate with the bank alternatives tailored to each personal situation.
- Prevent conflicts due to dubious clauses or lack of information.
- Avoid lengthy, costly, and exhausting legal proceedings.
Mediation allows one to reach fair agreements, preserving the relationship with the financial institution and reducing time and costs.
Do you identify with any of these situations?
- You've been offered a mortgage that's "too good to be true".
- You're worried about how future interest rate hikes might affect you.
- Your bank has changed its terms and conditions and you don't fully understand why.
- You want to renegotiate without going into lengthy trials.
If you recognize yourself in any of these cases, Going to mediation can make all the difference before the conflict escalates.
Conclusion
We don't need to go back to 2008 to feel uncertainty in the mortgage market. Precisely because we are not facing an obvious crisis, but rather a changing environment, the banking mediation It becomes a key tool for protecting consumers.
Increasingly, mediation is also becoming established as a Career path with social impact, especially in sensitive areas such as finance.
Would you like to dedicate yourself professionally to mediation or specialize in one of its branches? You've come to the right place. EIM We offer a wide variety of training courses to meet your most ambitious goals.
