Our Scans · (FS.6.06) Personal Finance · Weekly Summary

• [New] Ofcom will finalise the regulatory framework for copper retirement during 2026/27, retaining a three-stage approach that shifts regulatory protections from copper to fiber on an exchange-by-exchange basis. Bratby Law | Specialist UK Telecoms, Data and Payments
• [New] Many other nations, including the US, China, Germany and Japan, have launched targeted training subsidies and wage supplements to support workers while they train, to deal with the risk of AI-induced joblessness. ST
• [New] The best retirement financial literacy and education program in the world will not be effective if employees do not take advantage of opportunities provided. U.S. Office of Personnel Management
• [New] Barring another global catastrophe, experts do not think mortgage rates will go that low again in the foreseeable future. Fortune
• [New] By 2026, exchange-traded funds will dominate custody for everyday savers and retirement pools. Bitcoin Foundation
• [New] Cumulative American retirement wealth could rise by as much as 77%, adding $1.35 trillion in projected retirement wealth over 10 years. CNBC
• [New] Workers with 10 or more years of sustained participation in retirement plans could see 67% to 125% higher retirement wealth under auto-enrollment scenarios. CNBC
• [New] While the UK unemployment rate held steady at 5.2%, wage growth slowed sharply in the three months to January, offering some relief on domestic inflation pressures even as headline risks intensified. US Investor
• [New] Goldman Sachs has advised against expecting a rate hike, pointing to factors such as a limited impact from oil price fluctuations, slowing wage increases, and the Federal Reserve's historical tendency not to react strongly to changes in energy prices. Bitget Exchange
• [New] The MPC closely monitors wage growth expectations due to fears that higher inflation could push employees to bargain for higher pay packets, leading to a spiralling effect on both data points. City AM
• [New] Rising costs of living and debt are pushing many Americans to rethink retirement as a flexible, phased transition, with 72% now expecting to retire on their own terms. housingwire
• [New] If inflation shows signs of cooling by the second half of 2026, a stabilization of mortgage rates around the 5.5% mark could unleash significant pent-up demand. Observer-Reporter
• [New] With the Fed locked in place, mortgage rates heading back toward 6.5%, and oil above $96, the housing freeze will deepen before it thaws. The Rio Times
• [New] Mortgage rates spiked sharply on Monday, hitting the highest levels in more than a month as escalation fears ramped up surrounding the Iran war. Mortgage News Daily
• [New] Any Iran conflict de-escalation could rapidly cool oil prices and bring Arizona mortgage rates down. X2 Mortgage
• [New] Waiting: Analysts expect mortgage rates in Arizona to gradually ease toward 6.0% in H2 2026, but only if geopolitical conditions stabilize. X2 Mortgage
• By 2030, the traditional crypto wallet will be replaced by a Personal Finance Agent that acts as a secure, conversational interface to the entire blockchain. KuCoin
• Since 79% of young people get personal finance advice from social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok, they are primed to expect quick wins and easy money. Fortune
• The good news is that the economists surveyed predict 30-year fixed mortgage rates to fall to 6.05% by the end of the year: noticeably lower than where rates currently sit at around 6.5%. Bankrate.com
• The Bank of England's next move on interest rates will be critical; any further hikes could increase mortgage costs for millions of homeowners. Finscoop
• Fixed mortgage rates have actually moved higher in early 2026, driven by a surge in bond yields as geopolitical risk from the Middle East conflict pushed energy prices up and rattled fixed-income markets. Coldwell Banker Horizon Realty
• Mortgage rates have surged past 5% in the past month, as war in the Middle East prompted fears that higher oil and gas prices would stoke inflation. The Guardian

Last updated: 18 May 2026