Canada Cuts Interest Rates - Prime @4.75%

The Bank of Canada cut its interest rate by half a point to 3% whilst noting that further cuts might be necessary. The slowdown in the United States, which is Canada's largest trading partner, has begun to affect the Canadian economy. The cut reduces the bank's overnight rate — what big banks charge each other for overnight loans — to three per cent. The overnight rate hasn't been that low since December 2005. It was second time in as many months that new bank governor Mark Carney has moved aggressively on interest rates, bringing down the key overnight rate to three per cent, one-and-a-half points below where it was at the start of December. But in an unusual reaction, Canada’s chartered banks delayed for most of the day matching the central bank’s reduction, suggesting growing unease with the state of financial markets. The Toronto-Dominion Bank was first to act, after 6 p.m. AT, announcing a 50 basis rate cut to its prime lending rate to 4.75 per cent, followed by the other four big Canadian banks.

Bank of Canada slices lending rate to 3.5 per cent

The Bank of Canada has cut its key overnight rate by half a percentage point to 3.5 per cent from four per cent. The last announcement on the rate came on Jan. 22 when the central bank cut the rate by a quarter-point, or 25 basis points. Around the world, the Bank of Canada sounded a gloomy warning on the U.S. economy by slashing its key rate by a half point, its biggest cut since 2001, and signaling more to come. The Bank of Canada reduced its overnight lending rate to 3.50 percent, bringing Canada's cumulative rate cuts since December to one percentage point and narrowing the gap with the U.S. Federal Reserve rate of 3 percent.

What does it mean for people with mortgage payment? Most banks are expected to drop their prime lending rates to 5.25%. The difference in the drop of half a point over let's say in a $100,000 mortgage, is about approximately $40 a month in interest saved — over the long term, several thousand dollars.

Bank of Canada cutting interest rate on Tuesday?

The Bank of Canada is one of five central banks that will be making a decision on interest rates this week. Most economists expect the target for the key overnight rate to be set at 3.75 per cent, down from 4 per cent. Some economists are predicting that the bank will cut rates by as much as 50 bps, which would be the strongest move by the Bank of Canada since 2001.

Bank of Canada cuts interest rates

The Bank of Canada today announced that it is lowering its target for the overnight rate by one-quarter of one percentage point to 4 1/4 per cent. The operating band for the overnight rate is correspondingly lowered, and the Bank Rate is now 4 1/2 per cent. The Bank is likely to trim rates again in January, although the tone of today’s press release does not hint at a significant easing campaign. The Bank is still officially concerned about upside risks to inflation (given a very low jobless rate), but the credit squeeze and a possible U.S. recession are the dominant concerns now.

The Bank of Canada lowered interest rates yesterday, and took some pressure off the nervous borrowers and hard-pressed exporters and manufacturers feeling the sting of the soaring Canadian dollar. But the central bank also issued a dark forecast, raising concerns about weakening demand in the U.S. economy and continuing turmoil in global financial markets.

Canada's big banks followed suit, lowering their prime lending rate to 6 per cent, and adjusting some of their mortgage and GIC rates. Economists say this could be the first in a series of rate cuts meant to protect Canada's economy.

The Canadian dollar, which reached an all-time high in early November, lost more than one US cent after yesterday's announcement. The currency, known as the loonie, was trading at 98.5 US cents at mid-morning, down from its peak of $1.10.

Monetary Policy Report - Bank Of canada

The Bank of Canada released its April Monetary Policy Report today. Growth of the Canadian economy has been in line with the Bank's expectations as set out in the January Monetary Policy Report, but inflation has been higher than expected. The Bank now says that the Canadian economy was operating just above its production capacity in the first quarter of this year. Domestic demand continues to be the main driver of growth in Canada. Core inflation is likely to remain slightly above 2 per cent in the coming months, because of pressures on capacity and the impact of higher core food prices. Inflation is expected to moderate by the end of 2007. The Bank continues to believe that the risks to its inflation projection are roughly balanced, although there is now a slight tilt to the upside. On Tuesday, the Bank OF Canada left its key policy rate unchanged at 4 1/4 per cent (Prime rate 6%). Mortgage interest rates are expected to remain stable for a while. The next meeting is in May. Talk to your mortgage broker about how interest rates change in the Canadian mortgage market. A little mortgage education can save you some money.