Putting Rates in Neutral

Neutral isn’t what it used to be—not with the Bank of Canada’s key interest rate anyhow. In the modern era of monetary policy, the neutral policy rate (NPR) has averaged about 4.20%, according to BMO. Today, BMO, TD, CIBC and others say it’s closer to 3.00%…or less. (Economists have lately been ratcheting down their estimates of the NPR.) If you hold […]

You better buy a house in this market before it’s too late.

Garry Marr, Financial Post · Jun. 22, 2011 | You better buy a house in this market before it’s too late. How many times have you heard those words? The panic thinking is driven partially by prices continuing to rise to record levels but also by the sense that near-record-low interest rates could rise at […]

The Bank of Canada released a special issue of its Review, “Lessons from the Financial Crisis”

The Bank of Canada released a special issue of its Review, “Lessons from the Financial Crisis,” which examines the recent research on the role of liquidity in the financial system, and the public policy responses that aimed to restore stability to the financial system during the crisis and foster economic recovery.

Canadians take Carney’s debt warning to heart

Canadians appear to have gotten the message Mark Carney was sending when the Bank of Canada governor went public last year with his concerns about rising levels of household debt. In the months since his remarks – which were augmented by changes to lending rules by Ottawa – growth in consumer borrowing has noticeably slowed, […]

BoC ups growth, stands pat on rates

OTTAWA — The Bank of Canada boosted its growth forecast Tuesday but threw a curve ball at Bay Street expectations for a July interest-rate hike by warning the “persistent strength” in the loonie could cause even greater headwinds for the economy. While some analysts still expect the central bank to start raising rates in July […]

Bank of Canada maintains overnight rate target at 1 per cent

The Bank of Canada announced that it is maintaining its target for the overnight rate at 1 per cent. In its decision, the Bank showed caution in the face of an improving Canadian economy. “The recovery in Canada is proceeding slightly faster than expected, and there is more evidence of the anticipated rebalancing of demand,” […]

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