Posts from the ‘Monday Morning Interest Rate Updates’ Category
Is the Bank of Canada’s Firehose Working?
Monday Morning Interest Rate Update for April 20, 2020
Here are five highlights from the Bank of Canada’s latest policy statement and Monetary Policy Report with my take on the implications for our fixed and variable mortgage rates.
Our New Canadian Mortgage Landscape?
Monday Morning Interest Rate Update for April 13, 2020
Last week we learned that our economy lost more than 1 million jobs in March. As the significant economic impacts of the lockdown begin to take form, now seems like a good time to speculate on how lenders will adapt their mortgage lending policies to the new reality.
The Slam Dunk Mortgage Option Right Now (and a Warning about HELOCs)
Monday Morning Interest Rate Update for April 6, 2020
If you need a mortgage now and you don’t already have a commitment in place, a variable rate seems like the clear choice. Today’s post explains why.
The Bank of Canada Cuts Again and Policy Makers Get Creative
Monday Morning Interest Rate Update for March 30, 2020
Last week the BoC cut its policy rate by another 0.50% and our policy makers took other unprecedented steps to limit the economic damage being done by COVID-19.
Mortgage Strategies for the Coronavirus Crisis
Monday Morning Interest Rate Update for March 23, 2020
Canadian mortgage rates surged higher last week, which surprised borrowers. In today’s post I explain why that happened and offer advice to four different groups of borrowers on how to navigate through the COVID-19 crisis.
Fixed or Variable? To Be Determined …
Monday Morning Interest Rate Update for March 16, 2020
The Bank of Canada and the U.S. Federal Reserve continued to slash their policy rates last week. My next fixed vs. variable simulation will be postponed until these five key questions are answered.
The Bank of Canada Finally Cuts and Mortgage Rates Plummet
Monday Morning Interest Rate Update for March 9, 2020
Financial markets are driven by two competing forces: fear and greed. Last week, greed left town and fear took centre stage. Today’s post explains.
How Much Longer Will the Bank of Canada Stand Pat?
Monday Morning Interest Rate Update for March 2, 2020
The Bank of Canada (BoC) meets this week and the consensus believes the Bank will finally cut its policy rate. Today’s post outlines the factors that are driving that view, and offers my take on why I think the BoC will stand pat (tough call though that is).
How Last Week’s Mortgage Stress-Test Change Will Impact Borrowers
Monday Morning Interest Rate Update for February 24, 2020
Last week our federal government announced that it will change the way the Bank of Canada calculates the stress-test rate that lenders use to qualify all insured mortgage applications. In today’s post I will explain what changed and offer five key observations relating to it.
Happy Family Day Long Weekend
Monday Morning Interest Rate Update for February 18, 2020
The terms and conditions in your mortgage contract can have a surprisingly significant impact on your overall borrowing cost. My link in today’s post provides a detailed example.
Is the Mortgage Stress-Test Rate About to Drop?
Monday Morning Interest Rate Update for February 10, 2020
Last week TD Bank lowered its posted five-year rate to 4.99%. TD’s move by itself isn’t enough to drop the stress-test rate. Other Big Six banks will need to follow. That’s where this gets interesting.
Canadian Mortgage Rates Move Lower After Bond Yields Drop on Coronavirus Fears
Monday Morning Interest Rate Update for February 3, 2020
Contagion fears are stoking demand for safe-haven assets, such as sovereign bonds, putting downward pressure on their yields, and by association, the fixed mortgage rates that are priced on them.
The Bank of Canada’s Cautionary Comments Push Fixed Mortgage Rates Lower
Monday Morning Interest Rate Update for January 27, 2020
The Bank of Canada offered a decidedly more cautious outlook last week. Government of Canada bond yields fell in response and five-year fixed rates started dropping shortly thereafter.
Forecast for Canadian Fixed and Variable Mortgage Rates in 2020
Monday Morning Interest Rate Update for January 13, 2020
In today’s post I offer my predictions of where our fixed and variable mortgage rates are headed in 2020.
Are Changes to the Mortgage Stress Test Coming?
Monday Morning Interest Rate Update for December 16, 2019
Last week Prime Minister Trudeau asked Finance Minister Morneau to review the mortgage stress test. Here are my thoughts on two tweaks he should recommend.
