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Bank of Canada Rate Announcement Jan 25th, 2023

James Loewen • January 25, 2023

Bank of Canada increases policy interest rate by 25 basis points, continues quantitative tightening.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Relations

Ottawa, Ontario

January 25, 2023

The Bank of Canada today increased its target for the overnight rate to 4½%, with the Bank Rate at 4¾% and the deposit rate at 4½%. The Bank is also continuing its policy of quantitative tightening.

Global inflation remains high and broad-based. Inflation is coming down in many countries, largely reflecting lower energy prices as well as improvements in global supply chains. In the United States and Europe, economies are slowing but proving more resilient than was expected at the time of the Bank’s October Monetary Policy Report (MPR). China’s abrupt lifting of COVID-19 restrictions has prompted an upward revision to the growth forecast for China and poses an upside risk to commodity prices. Russia’s war on Ukraine remains a significant source of uncertainty. Financial conditions remain restrictive but have eased since October, and the Canadian dollar has been relatively stable against the US dollar.

The Bank estimates the global economy grew by about 3½% in 2022, and will slow to about 2% in 2023 and 2½% in 2024. This projection is slightly higher than October’s.

In Canada, recent economic growth has been stronger than expected and the economy remains in excess demand. Labour markets are still tight: the unemployment rate is near historic lows and businesses are reporting ongoing difficulty finding workers. However, there is growing evidence that restrictive monetary policy is slowing activity, especially household spending. Consumption growth has moderated from the first half of 2022 and housing market activity has declined substantially. As the effects of interest rate increases continue to work through the economy, spending on consumer services and business investment are expected to slow. Meanwhile, weaker foreign demand will likely weigh on exports. This overall slowdown in activity will allow supply to catch up with demand.

The Bank estimates Canada’s economy grew by 3.6% in 2022, slightly stronger than was projected in October. Growth is expected to stall through the middle of 2023, picking up later in the year. The Bank expects GDP growth of about 1% in 2023 and about 2% in 2024, little changed from the October outlook.

Inflation has declined from 8.1% in June to 6.3% in December, reflecting lower gasoline prices and, more recently, moderating prices for durable goods. Despite this progress, Canadians are still feeling the hardship of high inflation in their essential household expenses, with persistent price increases for food and shelter. Short-term inflation expectations remain elevated. Year-over-year measures of core inflation are still around 5%, but 3-month measures of core inflation have come down, suggesting that core inflation has peaked.

Inflation is projected to come down significantly this year. Lower energy prices, improvements in global supply conditions, and the effects of higher interest rates on demand are expected to bring CPI inflation down to around 3% in the middle of this year and back to the 2% target in 2024.

With persistent excess demand putting continued upward pressure on many prices, Governing Council decided to increase the policy interest rate by a further 25 basis points. The Bank’s ongoing program of quantitative tightening is complementing the restrictive stance of the policy rate. If economic developments evolve broadly in line with the MPR outlook, Governing Council expects to hold the policy rate at its current level while it assesses the impact of the cumulative interest rate increases. Governing Council is prepared to increase the policy rate further if needed to return inflation to the 2% target, and remains resolute in its commitment to restoring price stability for Canadians.

Information note

The next scheduled date for announcing the overnight rate target is March 8, 2023. The Bank will publish its next full outlook for the economy and inflation, including risks to the projection, in the MPR on April 12, 2023.

Read the January 25th, 2023 Monetary Policy Report.

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Top Factors to Consider When Choosing a Mortgage Broker in Canada

By james loewen • November 21, 2024

Top Factors to Consider When Choosing a Mortgage Broker in Canada In Canada, buying a house can be exciting yet daunting, especially when thinking of the best mortgage to choose. One of the best ways to make this process easier is by engaging an experienced mortgage broker in Canada. These are professionals who work by connecting you to lenders so that you can find the best loan option available for you. Their vast knowledge of the mortgage sector enables them to help you get the best offers possible. But how do you go about choosing the right mortgage broker from the many available? Factors to Consider When Choosing Mortgage Brokers: Looking to choose mortgage broker? Here are the factors to consider: 1. Experience and Expertise In terms of mortgage broker factors , choosing a mortgage broker, the first important aspect to examine is their experience. This is because the Canadian mortgage sector is quite multifaceted with many laws, rules, and lender union characteristics. An experienced broker is likely well versed in these intricacies and will provide such advice depending on individual financial capabilities. Ask for how long they have been in the business and how many clients they have successfully assisted. Also, a seasoned mortgage loan officer usually has established relationships with many lenders, which in turn will offer better options for you. Most of the time, even more useful information will be when a mortgage broker works in a particular niche. For example, first time home buyer Burlington or the local property market of Hamilton or Milton would be niches where the expertise will come in handy. Need help to choose the best mortgage broker in Canada? Contact us at Loewen Group to get mortgage broker tips and services. Call (289) 337-4029 or start here . 2. Range of Lenders and Products An adept mortgage brokerage firm must have access to several lenders as well as different mortgage options. It is because mortgage broker in Hamilton are on good terms not only with banks and credit unions but also with private lending firms, so they will definitely help in finding the most suitable loan according to the client’s needs as well as their financial capabilities. Also, it is more likely that favorable terms for the loan and adequate interest rates are available when a broker has contacts with several lenders instead of one or two. Ask the broker what type of lenders they work with. Brokers with a larger network tend to be able to provide more options than those who are limited to a few lenders. Be sure also to ask if they have such product capabilities or that they have worked with certain types of lenders. 3. Reputation and Reviews Research and analyze the feedback on the best mortgage broker in Canada. Look for online appraisals on Google, social networks, and other further sites, as well as testimonies of their previous clients. An ideal mortgage broker will always have great reviews from clients who appreciate the broker’s skill and results. If family members, friends, or coworkers have ever used the services of a specific broker and were pleased with the outcome, do not hesitate to request contacts. It is more likely that a trustworthy and reputable mortgage broker in Hamilton, Milton, or Burlington will provide great service and navigate you through the mortgage process seamlessly. 4. Knowledge of Government Programs and Incentives Canada has many programs designed to help young starters, in particular first-time homebuyers. A good broker would know these plans and help you make use of those available to you. For instance, should you be purchasing in Burlington, Hamilton, or Milton, they may know of local initiatives in Ontario such as the Home Buyers’ Plan HBP or even the First-Time Home Buyer Incentive. Ask the potential brokers if they are aware of the schemes and if they have helped clients to access them in the past. You can save on expenses and eschew difficulties in buying a home by engaging the services of a broker who is knowledgeable about government support programs. 5. Local Market Knowledge Market research at the local level can considerably impact one’s decision on acquiring a property. Be it Burlington, Hamilton, Milton, or any other area, a mortgage broker Milton with extensive experience in the given region will be aware of the community features, range of the properties, and prevailing tendencies that affect the mortgage or home buying schedule. He or she probably has turned into contacts with banks, appraisers, and real estate agents, thus further shortening the time frame. Conclusion A crucial first step in the home-buying process is selecting the appropriate mortgage broker Burlington . You may discover a broker who meets your demands and will strive to get you the best mortgage by taking into account elements like experience, reputation, variety of lenders, customer service, and local knowledge. Taking the time to do your homework and make an informed decision can make all the difference, whether you're a first-time purchaser in Burlington, searching for the finest mortgage broker tips, or considering your alternatives in Milton. A knowledgeable, experienced broker will help you comprehend your alternatives, walk you through the mortgage process, and make sure your mortgage fits your long-term financial objectives.