Bank Of Canada Holds Benchmark Rate Steady At 0.5 Percent In 2017
The Bank of Canada is holding its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 0.5 percent and providing a deeper concern on the risks associated with the big economic changes expected to come out of a Trump presidency. On one side central bank’s keeping on with the same interest rate shows improvement signs of the Canadian economy but it also warns of uncertainty attached due to potential policy changes expected from the United States, after all, we are the largest trading partner.
Following is the news article from Mortgage Intelligence is especially selected for the blog readers that are looking to get especially a mortgage in 2017 at the same lower rates, although, it’s been expected to stay benchmark interest rates low in Canada till 2020 with a possibility of further cut down in rates if the Canadian economy continues to contract:
Bank of Canada holds benchmark rate steady at 0.5%.
Mortgage Intelligence
12.07.2016
Bank of Canada holds benchmark rate steady again.
The Bank of Canada announced today that it is holding the benchmark interest rate unchanged at 0.5%, noting that “growth in the 3rd quarter rebounded strongly, but more moderate growth is anticipated in the 4th” and that “a significant amount of economic slack remains in Canada.” Bond yields have crept higher since the U.S. election, reflecting “market anticipation of fiscal expansion in a U.S. economy that is near full capacity.” Higher bond yields have caused our fixed mortgage rates to rise in conjunction.
This fall, the Ministry of Finance introduced four new mortgage tightening measures intended to cool the housing markets (aimed primarily at Vancouver and Toronto), reduce foreign investor home flipping, and control the levels of Canadian household debt. The Ministry also has introduced risk sharing on mortgages for the Chartered Banks which puts upward pressure on mortgage rates as lenders need to set aside higher levels of capital for certain types of funds. More than half of Canada’s $1.4 trillion home loan market is made up of insured mortgages with all of the risk on the Canadian taxpayer – and that is now changing. On November 1, one of the Chartered Banks’ mortgage prime rates for variable mortgages jumped 0.15 points to 2.85 percent, and it’s expected others may follow.
The Central Bank has predicted throughout 2016 that it expects oil prices and the Canadian dollar to stay close to the $49 US for a barrel of crude (currently around $51.85 US per barrel at December 5th), and 77 cents US for the Canadian dollar (currently at 75 cents US at December 5th). Low-interest rates help keep the Canadian dollar low which in turn aids our export market, however global demand for our products has stalled. The European Union members’ debt crisis, global oil-price collapse, and Brexit have undermined markets and consumer confidence. In addition, the uncertainty over our trade position with the U.S. as a result of the U.S. election is expected to delay capital spending and business investment in Canada.
We expect to see interest rates staying low in Canada well into 2020 and the benchmark interest rate can be cut further if the Canadian economy continues to contract. The Bank of Canada believes it must continue its monetary policy of ultra-low rates to control inflation, stimulate other sectors of the economy besides housing and spur our Canadian export market.
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Bank Of Canada holds benchmark rate steady at 0.5 percent in 2017; let’s see what unknown big economic changes of the Trump presidency may bring any change to our financial forecast. Hope for the best, good luck.
