44% of people living in Wales think interest rates are likely to rise this year, while 38% believe rates will remain at their historic low of 0.5% into 2011, according to the latest Principality Building Society Saving and Spending Survey.

Almost a quarter expect rates to rise by 0.5% while 24% expect a rise of as much as 1% before the year is out.

35% of borrowers in Wales have said that they had already begun making plans to cope, should interest rates rise.

Graeme Yorston, chief operating officer at Principality Building Society, said: “The findings of our survey are mirrored by our own figures which show an increase in people choosing to take out fixed rate mortgage deals