Variable Rate Increases Again
April 13, 2022
Bank of Canada has raised their overnight rate by 0.50%, bringing it to 1.00%. Which for most lenders will likely increase their Prime rate to 3.20% from the previous 2.70%.
This is the first time Bank of Canada has increased rates by .50% since May 2000. However, keep in mind that we had 3x .50% emergency rate decrease (totalling 1.50%) in March 2020 alone. So this doesn't come as a total surprise that we are seeing some increases.
This change will have an impact on those with a Variable Rate Mortgage or Home Equity Line of Credit. It will mean a $26 a month payment increase for every $100,000.
Those with a fixed rate mortgage won't be affected by raising rates until they come up for renewal.
What is the Bank of Canada Overnight Rate?
The overnight rate is generally the interest rate that large banks use to borrow and lend from one another in the overnight market.
The Bank of Canada holds this Key Lending rate. They might lower it to encourage borrowing and spending OR they may increase it to curb inflation and debt levels.
Major lenders typically raise their prime rate when there is a hike. Thats the number they use to set interest rates for loans and mortgages.
Unlike a fixed rate where one is locked in to their rate, those in a variable rate will be affected by these changes. Home owners with fixed rate mortgages won't be affected until they have to renew.
Should I lock into a Fixed Rate now?
Historically variable rates have shown to save you more money in the long run.
A few things you should consider before locking into a Fixed rate is:
Are you planning to sell your home within the next 3yrs? Then we would highly recommend you stay in your variable rate mortgage.
Can your budget handle a payment increase if rates go up?
Will you be putting extra money down on your mortgage each month? If so, the savings from a variable rate can help you pay down your mortgage faster.
If you are considering locking in, give us a call to discuss first. We have a fun little calculator to help you forecast your savings if you decide to stay with your variable rate.
Source: First National - one of Canada's largest non-bank mortgage lenders, offering both commercial mortgages and residential mortgage solutions.
Today, in its third scheduled policy decision of 2022, the Bank of Canada took direct aim at inflation by increasing its overnight benchmark rate to 1% from 0.50% in March. As a result, the Bank Rate rises to 1.25% from 0.75% and borrowing costs for Canadians will rise again.
This decision was not a surprise. Deputy BoC Governor Sharon Kozicki told an audience of central bankers in San Francisco last month that the Bank was “prepared to act forcefully” to combat inflation and provided a strong hint that as much as a half a percentage point increase was on its way in April. Even so, this is strong medicine and marks the first time in 22 years that the overnight rate moved up by 50 basis points in one fell swoop.
The BoC also announced it is ending what it calls its reinvestment phase, during which it added Government of Canada bonds to its balance sheet. Effective April 25th, it will begin quantitative tightening and maturing Government of Canada bonds will no longer be replaced.
In rationalizing these moves, the Bank singled out the invasion of Ukraine by Russia as a “new economic uncertainty” that is causing supply disruptions, exacerbating ongoing supply constraints and “weighing on activity.”
These are the other highlights of today’s announcement.
Canadian economy and the housing market
Economic growth is strong and the economy is moving into excess demand
Labour markets are tight, and wage growth is back to its pre-pandemic pace “and rising”
Businesses increasingly report they are having difficulty meeting demand, and are able to pass on higher input costs by increasing prices
While the COVID-19 virus continues to mutate and circulate, high rates of vaccination have reduced its health and economic impacts
Growth looks to have been stronger in the first quarter than projected in January and is likely to pick up in the second quarter
Consumer spending is strengthening with the lifting of pandemic containment measures
Exports and business investment “will continue to recover, supported by strong foreign demand and high commodity prices”
Housing market activity, which has been exceptionally high, is expected to “moderate”
Canadian inflation and the impact of the invasion of Ukraine
CPI inflation of 5.7% is “above the Bank’s forecast in its January Monetary Policy Report (MPR),” driven by rising energy and food prices and supply disruptions, in combination with strong global and domestic demand
Core measures of inflation have all moved higher as price pressures “broaden”
CPI inflation is now expected to average almost 6% in the first half of 2022 and remain well above the control range throughout 2022 before easing “to about 2.5% in the second half of 2023” and returning to the Bank’s 2% target in 2024
There is an increasing risk that expectations of elevated inflation could become entrenched
The Bank will use its monetary policy tools to return inflation to target and keep inflation expectations “well-anchored”
Global economy
War in Ukraine is disrupting the global recovery, just as most economies are emerging from the impact of the Omicron variant of COVID-19
European countries are more directly impacted by “confidence effects” and supply dislocations caused by the war
China’s economy is facing new COVID outbreaks and an ongoing correction in its property market
In the U.S., domestic demand remains “very strong” and the US Federal Reserve has clearly indicated its resolve to use its monetary policy tools to control inflation
As policy stimulus is withdrawn, U.S. growth is expected to moderate to a pace “more in line with potential growth”
Global financial conditions have tightened and volatility has increased such that the Bank now forecasts global growth of about 3.5% in 2022, 2.5% in 2023 and 3.25% in 2024
Looking ahead
The Bank forecasts that Canada’s economy will grow by 4.25% this year before slowing to 3.25% in 2023 and 2.25% in 2024. It is the Bank’s view that “robust business investment, labour productivity growth and higher immigration” will add to the economy’s productive capacity, while higher interest rates “should moderate growth in domestic demand.” Given that the Bank is ending quantitative easing, the size of its balance sheet can be expected to decline over time.
Are more interest rate increases in store this year?
The last word on this topic goes to the Bank’s Governing Council: “With the economy moving into excess demand and inflation persisting well above target…interest rates will need to rise further.”
The timing and pace of further increases in the policy rate will be guided by the Bank’s ongoing assessment of the economy and its commitment to achieving its 2% inflation target.
BoC’s next scheduled policy announcement is June 1, 2022. We will update you following that announcement and as always, you can find other important capital market insights on the Resources page of this website.