October 30, 2013 Research Update - October 2013 This monthly newsletter features the latest research publications by Bank of Canada economists including external publications and working papers published on the Bank of Canada’s website. Content Type(s): Staff research, Research newsletters
February 23, 2012 What Explains Trends in Household Debt in Canada? Bank of Canada Review - Winter 2011-2012 Allan Crawford, Umar Faruqui Similar to the experiences in many other countries, household indebtedness in Canada has exhibited an upward trend over the past 30 years. Both mortgage and non-mortgage (consumer) credit have contributed to this development. In this article, the authors use microdata to highlight the main factors underlying the strong trend increase since the late 1990s. Favourable housing affordability, owing to factors such as income growth and low interest rates, has supported significant increases in home-ownership rates and mortgage debt. Much of the rise in consumer credit has been facilitated by higher housing values (used as collateral for loans) and financial innovation that makes it easier for households to access this credit. Content Type(s): Publications, Bank of Canada Review articles JEL Code(s): D, D1, D12, D14, E, E5, E51
September 11, 2009 Understanding Corporate Bond Spreads Using Credit Default Swaps Bank of Canada Review - Autumn 2009 Alejandro García, Jun Yang Corporate bond spreads worldwide have widened markedly since the beginning of the credit crisis in 2007. This article examines default and liquidity risk–the main components of the corporate bond spread–for Canadian firms that issue bonds in the U.S. market, focusing in particular on their evolution during the credit crisis. They find that, during this period, the liquidity component increased more for speculative-grade bonds than it did for investment-grade bonds, consistent with a "flight-to-quality" phenomenon. An important implication of their results for policy-makers seeking to address problems in credit markets is that the liquidity risk in corporate spreads for investment and speculative bonds behaves differently than the default risk, especially during crisis episodes. Content Type(s): Publications, Bank of Canada Review articles
October 24, 2018 Bank of Canada increases overnight rate target to 1 ¾ per cent Media Relations Ottawa, Ontario The Bank of Canada today increased its target for the overnight rate to 1 ¾ per cent. The Bank Rate is correspondingly 2 per cent and the deposit rate is 1 ½ per cent. Content Type(s): Press, Press releases
October 28, 2009 Opening Statement before the Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce Opening statement Mark Carney Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce Ottawa, Ontario While conditions in the Canadian economy have improved since we met with you in May, many of the basic challenges remain. Before Paul and I take your questions, allow me to outline some of the highlights from our latest Monetary Policy Report, which the Bank released last week. Content Type(s): Press, Speeches and appearances, Opening statements
October 27, 2009 Opening Statement before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance Opening statement Mark Carney House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance Ottawa, Ontario While conditions in the Canadian economy have improved since we met with you in February and April, many of the basic challenges remain. Before Paul and I take your questions, I would like to give you some of the highlights from our latest Monetary Policy Report, released last week. Content Type(s): Press, Speeches and appearances, Opening statements
December 8, 2009 Bank of Canada maintains overnight rate target at 1/4 per cent and reiterates conditional commitment to hold current policy rate until the end of the second quarter of 2010 Media Relations Ottawa, Ontario The Bank of Canada today announced that it is maintaining its target for the overnight rate at 1/4 per cent. Content Type(s): Press, Press releases
July 16, 2014 Release of the Monetary Policy Report Opening statement Stephen S. Poloz Ottawa, Ontario Press conference following the release of the Monetary Policy Report. Content Type(s): Press, Speeches and appearances, Opening statements
July 15, 2008 Bank of Canada keeps overnight rate target at 3 per cent Media Relations Ottawa, Ontario The Bank of Canada today announced that it is maintaining its target for the overnight rate at 3 per cent. Content Type(s): Press, Press releases
May 28, 2026 Financial Stability Report—2026—In focus—repo markets Repo markets are crucial for the functioning of government bond markets. They are also an important source of short-term funding. But their size and widespread use mean they can transmit financial stress if conditions deteriorate.