11:23 a.m. Update Notable Moves: The day’s top rate changes: BMO lowers its posted variable rates by 50 bps in line with the drop in prime: 3yr open: 4.65% to 4.15% 5yr closed: 3.45% to 2.95% HSBC improved these rates specials: 5yr fixed (refis): 2.79% to 2.69% 5yr fixed (high ratio): 2.49% to 2.39% 5yr variable (refis): 3.15% to 2.65%...
11:53 p.m. Update Fleeting Deal: Canada Life’s stellar 5-year fixed deals (2.34% insured and 2.49% uninsured) could vamoose this week. If a fixed 5-year is suitable for your circumstances and if you’re closing in the next 90 days, it’s a hard deal to beat. Unfortunately, for those who like a long payback period, Canada Life only allows up to a...
Despite rates being less than a point from their all-time lows, borrowers are growing increasingly dissatisfied with shrinking mortgage discounts. In the last month, typical 5-year fixed rates have surged 45+ basis points and variable discounts (from prime rate) have decreased by 75+ bps. That’s due mainly to temporary “risk premiums.” In other words, lenders are charging borrowers more because...
8:06 p.m. Update Shell Game: The Bank of Canada has hacked 150 bps off its policy rate in just 23 days. Banks have matched the entire drop with 150 bps of prime rate cuts. BoC Governor Stephen Poloz said that was vital to “cushion” the COVID-19 “blow” for consumers. And, if you only considered banks’ prime rate reductions, they’d look...
The Bank of Canada has slashed its key rate for the third time this month, using what many think are its last rounds of monetary policy ammunition.
5:56 p.m. Update Payment Worries: 1 in 3 Canadians fear they’ll miss a rent or mortgage payment (Survey.) If you’re one of them, here’s an updated list of lender links for payment deferral info. Appraisal Stop-gap: More lenders are announcing that they will accept “Modified Full Appraisals.” That’s where appraisers do virtual inspections of the property with the homeowner’s help,...
6:46 p.m. Update Prime Still Slated to Fall: Financial markets are still forecasting a 50-bps cut to the Bank of Canada’s overnight rate by April 15. Given government pressure on banks to pass through BoC cuts via prime rate, the expectation is for prime to fall to 2.45%. And while we were wrong on banks not cutting their prime rates...
3:12 p.m. Update Crude Reality: A semblance of optimism returned to markets today, but what really bears watching is oil. COVID-19 and other concerns aside, Canada’s economy is not out of the woods until oil prices run higher. There’s a rumour the Saudis and U.S. could ally on oil, which could be bullish. We’re going to get good news on...
For now, at least, cost pressures are easing slightly for Canadian mortgage lenders.
We're seeing and hearing from multiple customers and mortgage brokers that their mortgage approvals are being overturned by lenders due to coronavirus layoffs.
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