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National Bank of Canada
The central bank’s overnight interest rate sets the tone for the prime rates offered by banks. We explain what changes in the policy rate mean for you.
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The Bank of Canada (BoC) just raised its benchmark interest rate by half of a percentage point, as the annual rate of inflation continues to run higher than normal—even though Canada is expected to enter a recession in 2023 as the economy begins to slow.
On Dec. 7, 2022, the central bank hiked its overnight rate, also known as its policy interest rate or benchmark rate, to 4.25% from the previous 3.75%.
Inflation, as measured by the consumer price index (CPI), has fuelled the need for rate hikes in Canada, as well as in the U.S and around the world. In October 2022, the annual rate of inflation remained at 6.9% —the same as in September, but still far above the BoC’s inflation target of around 2% per year.
It’s the seventh consecutive time the BoC has raised its target interest rate this year; it makes eight scheduled rate announcements each year, and has increased the rate every time except for in January.
During normal economic times, the BoC typically increases its benchmark rate in increments of no more than 0.25%. Prior to the April 2022 rate announcement, the Bank hadn’t raised the overnight rate by more than 0.25% in one shot since May 2000—more than 20 years ago.
The rate increases have far-reaching implications for your finances, whether you’re applying for a mortgage , using a line of credit, repaying a student loan or living off retirement income. We take a look at how the BoC’s policy rate works, how it is set and what it means for you.
To understand the BoC’s policy interest rate, also known as the overnight rate, it helps to start by defining inflation.
Inflation is a persistent increase in the level of consumer prices or a persistent decline in the purchasing power of money. Gradual inflation over time helps keep the economy strong by making increases in wages and expenses predictable for businesses and consumers. But inflation that exceeds the norm makes it more difficult for people to afford everyday expenses.
The BoC aims to keep inflation stable at 2%—or between the target range of 1% to 3% per year. That’s where the overnight rate comes into play: It’s the BoC’s primary tool for controlling inflation. The overnight rate influences how the banks will set their own rates. It acts as a sort of barometer for the rate at which major banks borrow and lend among themselves. When the BoC raises the overnight rate, it becomes more expensive for banks to borrow money, and those costs get passed onto borrowers through higher interest rates.
If the economy is struggling to grow or experiencing a shock, as it did during the COVID-19 pandemic, the BoC can slash interest rates to help boost economic activity. When the overnight rate falls, people and businesses pay lower interest on new and existing loans and mortgages, and they earn less interest on savings. This generally leads them to spend more, which in turn helps strengthen the economy.
What’s your strategy for coping with higher food costs?
— MoneySense (@MoneySense) July 28, 2022
Conversely, an economy that is growing too quickly can lead to high levels of inflation. In this scenario, the BoC might raise the overnight rate, forcing people and businesses to pay higher interest on loans and mortgages. This discourages them from borrowing, reduces overall spending and typically brings inflation under control.
In 2020, to help Canadians anticipate and prepare for changes in the interest rates, the BoC introduced an annual schedule of eight fixed policy-rate announcements . It’s on these specified dates that it reports whether or not there are changes in the overnight rate. In special circumstances, such as national emergencies, it may announce rate changes on other non-specified dates—just as it did on March 13 and 27, 2020, in response to COVID-19.
Historically, the overnight rate has fluctuated based on large-scale events affecting the economy. On the heels of the 2008 financial crisis, the rate fell from 4.50% to 0.25%. Between 2010 and 2018, it gradually increased to 1.75%. It then fell sharply in early 2020 in response to the pandemic.
Not to be confused with the BoC’s policy interest rate, the prime interest rate is a percentage used to set interest rates on several different types of loans, including lines of credit, student loans and variable-rate mortgages .
Each of the five major banks—Bank of Montreal (BMO), Bank of Nova Scotia (Scotiabank), Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC), Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) and Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD)—can set their own prime rate, but they tend to use the same rate. The prime rate is currently at 5.45%
When the Bank of Canada increases or slashes its overnight rate, prime rates typically adjust by a similar amount. Most lenders reset their prime rate almost immediately after the BoC changes its benchmark rate.
That’s why changes in the overnight rate prompt a sort of domino effect on variable-rate loans offered by banks—their interest rates are typically expressed as “prime plus or minus” a percentage. For example, a bank may offer a product at a rate of “prime minus 1%.” At a prime rate of 2.45%, a product listed at “prime minus 1%” would mean the customer pays 1.45% in interest.
When prime rates increase or decrease, so do variable rates. This domino effect can impact borrowers with a variable-rate mortgage, home equity line of credit (HELOC) , student loan, line of credit or another type of variable-rate loan. Mortgage analyst Robert McLister noted that “a 25 [basis points] boost to prime lifts payments on adjustable-rate mortgage payments by roughly $12/month per $100,000 of borrowing.” With a 75 basis points hike, payments on variable- and adjustable-rate mortgages typically climb $42 per month for every $100,000 borrowed, according to the expert.
“If the prime rate goes up by 1%, people who are spending a couple thousand dollars a month on their mortgage could see that [amount] rise substantially,” says Jesse Abrams, CEO of online mortgage broker Homewise. “Over five years, we could be talking $30,000 to $40,000. That extra 1% can be pretty significant.”
Variable-rate mortgage holders: With the Bank of Canada ( #BoC ) hiking the overnight rate another 75 basis points on Wednesday, what’s your next move?
— MoneySense (@MoneySense) September 8, 2022
However, this does not apply to borrowers with a fixed-rate loan, such as a fixed-rate mortgage. A fixed rate is “locked in,” meaning the rate is guaranteed by the lender for the duration of the loan or mortgage term. In this instance, the borrower continues to pay the same rate regardless of what happens in the outside market.
Changes in the prime rate also influence the interest earned in high-interest savings accounts (HISAs) and other investment vehicles, like guaranteed investment certificates (GICs) . When the overnight rate increases, individuals can earn higher interest on their savings, because financial institutions have more latitude to compete on the interest rates they offer. Conversely, individuals who are retired or living off fixed income from a savings fund can be negatively impacted when the overnight rate drops.
While the overnight rate is generally expected to continue rising this year, there are ways for borrowers to prepare. Start by keeping track of the next policy rate announcement, then anticipate and plan around what an increase or decrease in the rate will mean for your finances.
If you have a variable-rate mortgage, you can use a mortgage payment calculator to determine what your new recurring payments will be. It may be time to consider locking into a fixed-rate mortgage . And if you’re retired or are planning to retire soon, you may wish to speak to a financial planner about your options.
What the future holds relies heavily on the stability of the Canadian economy. The BoC’s interest rate was slashed to historic lows when the economy needed a boost, and a gradual return to higher rates suggests the economy has recovered—and is now in overdrive. So while higher rates could make borrowing and paying off debt more difficult, for many people, they may also be a sign of better times ahead.
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What about the idea of a blended mortgage? Knowing rates are going to rise, an option is to talk to your bank about blending the current rate with the rate you are paying and locking in for the next 5 years. It’s a good way to extend your lower rate payment longer especially if your mortgage was coming up for renewal in the next year or two.
Very excited to finally see savings accounts (1.7%) and GIC rates (3.1% for a 1-year term) on the rise. Obviously locking in a 5-year term now makes no sense so I’m wondering what MoneySense suggests a good strategy would be for savers?
Great question! Due to the large volume of comments we receive, we regret that we are unable to respond directly to each one. We invite you to email your question to [email protected] , where it will be considered for a future response by one of our expert columnists. For personal advice, we suggest consulting with your financial institution or a qualified advisor.
This was really informative.
Where do you suggest people start investing their money?
Inflation in priced of commodities without justified increase in value
is THEFT.
Our protective TAX PAID PUBLIC SERVANTS must by fiduciary duties of paid care,
step in and control the fair profit on commodities, not the current theft level criminally conspired outrageous unearned gain made by unjustly raising commodities such as housing costs which have no bearing on the same value received before inflation.
A home should cost materials plus labour costs,
plus a Government regulated fixed profit percentage fixed to protect citizens as we pay taxes to receive.
We do not pay our Tax paid Bank of Canada employees to feed the insane greed of European builders by agreeing to theft level profits, and then support and promote these thieving predators by increasing borrowing rates instead of clamping down as we pay you to do regulating Milk Board type controls of prices.