Interest rate

Canadians need help with debt: Poll

Almost half (49%) of debt-laden Canadians made at least one extra payment to bring down their balances last year, finds a new CIBC Poll. Still, most households fail to seek professional advice on proper debt management, says Christina Kramer, executive vice president of retail distribution and channel strategy at CIBC. “Canadians are more likely to […]

By Suzanne Sharma |May 28, 2012

1 min read

Economic Indicators

Rate hikes? Not so fast

Despite repeated warnings that interest rates may rise sooner than many Canadian consumers expect, at least one economist says recent GDP data will give the Bank of Canada reason for pause.

By Staff |May 3, 2012

2 min read

Industry

Long-term interest rates will remain stable

The credit environment for fixed income in Canada continues to evolve. While we’re currently in a very low interest rate environment that’s causing some challenges, we're continuing to see incredible demand for bonds.

April 24, 2012

3 min read

Industry

BMO reignites mortgage war

Barely two months after the fires were put out, BMO has reignited the cooling embers of the mortgage war among Canada’s largest banks. The bank announced, effective today, it is dropping the interest rates on a five-year mortgage to a historic 2.99%, a reduction of 50 basis points on the existing rate. The rate on […]

By Vikram Barhat |March 8, 2012

2 min read

Credit Unions join the price war

The race to offer lower mortgage rates just got more intense as credit unions decided to jump into the fray. Barely a week after BMO triggered a price war by dropping the interest rate on a five-year fixed-rate mortgage to an unprecedented limited-time offer of 2.99%, followed by TD Bank and RBC with similar offers, […]

By Staff |January 23, 2012

2 min read

Fed to offer interest rate forecasts

In a major shift, the U.S. Federal Reserve will start updating the public four times a year on how long it plans to keep short-term interest rates at record lows, according to minutes from its December policy meeting.

By Wire services |January 3, 2012

2 min read

Bond manager sees looming inflation

In the months following Lehman Brothers' implosion, investors stampeded into bonds, with U.S. Treasuries the issue of choice. Since then, market watchers have repeatedly warned of an impending slaughter, as interest rates would eventually have to rise. While that rise may be inevitable, it is not coming any time soon.

By Staff |October 7, 2011

3 min read

Recession was easy, recovery will be tough

Canada managed to navigate its way through the Great Recession of 2008 without much damage, but the time for self-congratulation may be over. There are a number of hazards on the horizon, including the withdrawal of government stimulus, rising interest rates and the stubbornly strong loonie is stifling exports. Canada—indeed, the world—still has some challenges […]

4 min read

Inflation pummels bond market

Inflation expectations are on the rise in Canada. It seems its time for investors to ditch the bond market and dive into an equity market primed for plum pickings. “As the result of the inflation expectation rising, we will at some point in time see bond yields rise,” says Paul Taylor, chief investment officer, BMO […]

3 min read