`Few signs' of mortgage rise

A NEW survey shows few signs of any imminent hike in mortgage interest rates, according to the Brussels based European Mortgage Federation. The results of its recent Europe wide survey, it said, does not suggest any reversal in the downward trend in mortgage interest rates in the first three months of this year. Germany and the Netherlands, it said, were the only EU states to show minimal increases in rates. In all states, the short term forecasts are that inflationary pressures will remain muted and that interest rates will remain at or below current levels."