Housing demand in Canada: A novel approach to classifying mortgaged homebuyers Staff analytical note 2022-1 Mikael Khan, Yang Xu We introduce a novel approach to categorize mortgaged homebuyers into first-time homebuyers, repeat homebuyers and investors. We show how these groups contribute to activity in Canadian housing markets, and we analyze the differences in their demographic and financial characteristics. Content Type(s): Staff research, Staff analytical notes JEL Code(s): R, R2, R21, R3, R31 Research Theme(s): Financial system, Financial stability and systemic risk, Household and business credit
Can the characteristics of new mortgages predict borrowers’ financial stress? Insights from the 2014 oil price decline Staff analytical note 2021-22 Olga Bilyk, Ken Chow, Yang Xu We study the relationship between characteristics of new mortgages and borrowers’ financial stress in Canada’s energy-intensive regions following the 2014 collapse in oil prices. We find that borrowers with limited home equity were more likely to have difficulty repaying debt. Content Type(s): Staff research, Staff analytical notes JEL Code(s): C, C2, C25, D, D1, D14, G, G2, G21, G5, G51, R, R2, R21 Research Theme(s): Financial system, Financial stability and systemic risk, Household and business credit
Canadian housing supply elasticities Staff analytical note 2021-21 Nuno Paixão We explain how housing supply elasticities for Canadian cities are estimated. The procedure we use exploits the systematic differences in various cities’ sensitivity to regional house-price cycles. Content Type(s): Staff research, Staff analytical notes JEL Code(s): R, R1, R14, R3, R31, R5, R52 Research Theme(s): Financial system, Household and business credit, Monetary policy, Real economy and forecasting
Consumer Cash Withdrawal Behaviour: Branch Networks and Online Financial Innovation Staff working paper 2021-28 Heng Chen, Matthew Strathearn, Marcel Voia The physical network of bank branches is important in how consumers manage their cash holdings. This paper estimates how consumer withdrawal behaviour responds to the distance they must travel to their branch. Content Type(s): Staff research, Staff working papers JEL Code(s): G, G2, G21, R, R2, R22 Research Theme(s): Money and payments, Cash and bank notes, Digital assets and fintech
The Geography of Pandemic Containment Staff working paper 2021-26 Elisa Giannone, Nuno Paixão, Xinle Pang Interconnectedness between US states has affected the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic. We study the optimal containment policies regulating the movement of goods and people within and between states. Content Type(s): Staff research, Staff working papers JEL Code(s): F, F1, H, H0, I, I1, R, R1 Research Theme(s): Financial system, Financial stability and systemic risk, Models and tools, Economic models, Monetary policy, Real economy and forecasting, Structural challenges, International trade, finance and competitiveness
COVID-19 and Implications for Automation Staff working paper 2021-25 Alex Chernoff, Casey Warman Occupations held by females with mid-level education face the highest risk of accelerated automation as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Content Type(s): Staff research, Staff working papers JEL Code(s): I, I1, I14, I2, I24, J, J1, J15, J16, R, R1, R12 Research Theme(s): Monetary policy, Real economy and forecasting, Structural challenges, Demographics and labour supply, Digitalization and productivity
Detecting exuberance in house prices across Canadian cities Staff analytical note 2021-9 Ugochi Emenogu, Cars Hommes, Mikael Khan We introduce a model to detect periods of extrapolative house price expectations across Canadian cities. The House Price Exuberance Indicator can be updated on a quarterly basis to support the Bank of Canada’s broader assessment of housing market imbalances. Content Type(s): Staff research, Staff analytical notes JEL Code(s): C, C5, C53, R, R2, R21, R3, R31 Research Theme(s): Financial system, Financial stability and systemic risk, Household and business credit, Models and tools, Economic models, Monetary policy, Real economy and forecasting
Update on housing market imbalances and household indebtedness Staff analytical note 2021-4 Mikael Khan, Olga Bilyk, Matthew Ackman Exceptional strength in the housing market during the pandemic is underpinning Canada’s economic recovery. However, two key vulnerabilities—housing market imbalances and elevated household indebtedness—have intensified. Content Type(s): Staff research, Staff analytical notes JEL Code(s): D, D1, D14, D8, D84, E, E5, G, G2, G21, G28, R, R2, R21 Research Theme(s): Financial system, Financial stability and systemic risk, Household and business credit
Examining the Impact of Home Purchase Restrictions on China’s Housing Market Staff working paper 2021-18 Zhentong Lu, Sisi Zhang, Jian Hong How do “cooling measures” in the housing market—policies aimed to stabilize prices—affect the market? We use a structural model of housing demand and price competition among developers to evaluate China’s home purchase restriction policies implemented in 2010–11. Content Type(s): Staff research, Staff working papers JEL Code(s): O, O1, O18, R, R3, R31, R38 Research Theme(s): Financial markets and funds management, Market structure, Financial system, Household and business credit, Monetary policy, Real economy and forecasting
The Bank of Canada COVID‑19 stringency index: measuring policy response across provinces Staff analytical note 2021-1 Calista Cheung, Jerome Lyons, Bethany Madsen, Sarah Miller, Saarah Sheikh We construct an index that systematically measures and tracks the stringency of government policy responses to the COVID-19 pandemic across Canadian provinces. Researchers can use this stringency index to analyze how the pandemic is affecting the economy. Content Type(s): Staff research, Staff analytical notes JEL Code(s): E, E2, E20, H, H7, I, I1, I18, R, R1 Research Theme(s): Models and tools, Econometric, statistical and computational methods, Monetary policy, Real economy and forecasting