Canadians often complain mortgage interest isn’t tax deductible, like in the US. Some argue this is a trade off for the capital gains exemption Canadian homeowners have. However, one of the worst kept secrets in finance is mortgage interest can be turned into a deduction. One of those strategies is the Smith Maneuver, created by […]
Canadians tapped a lot more equity than their home equity line of credit (HELOC) balances show. Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) filings show loans secured by homes jumped in October. HELOC debt is the most common type of loan secured by homes, but represents just a small share of the debt. Homeowners […]
Canada’s new top dog at the bank regulator wants you to know they’re taking housing risks seriously. Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) Superintendent Peter Routledge discussed their housing priorities this week. In a speech to Vancouver CFAs, he said the financial system is safe but will get more regulations to keep it […]
Since the pandemic began, Canadian households have never been better. They’re saving more, they’re defaulting less, and some have even begun to poop rainbows. At least that’s what the narrative has been. Non-mortgage loan (A2) filings with the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) shows that may not be the case. Expected credit […]
Canada used to be known for its conservative mortgage lending, but that’s no longer the case. The Bank of Canada (BoC) warned mortgage quality has “deteriorated” in 2020. The central bank found highly indebted households, those with a loan-to-income ratio higher than 450%, now represent a record share of new mortgage debt. Highly indebted households […]
Despite rainbows and unicorns, Canadian household debt problems didn’t just disappear. In fact, they got worse in many cases, and the economy is finally strong enough to start thinking about them. The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI), the country’s bank regulator, announced the domestic stability buffer (DSB) will rise in October. The […]
Canada’s real estate industry is asking bank regulators to loosen lending standards. OSFI, the bank regulator, is currently holding feedback on B-20 Guideline revisions. The Guideline, better known as the “stress test,” ensures borrowers can pay their mortgage after a modest rate hike. The Toronto Regional Real Estate Board (TRREB) wants some tweaks, arguing it’s […]
A new mortgage stress test? Don’t bother me with those peasant details. After Canada’s property bubble attracted global criticism, they announced tighter mortgage lending. On April 8, the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) said they would make the stress test harder. By the following Monday, the first bank launched a pilot mortgage […]
Canadian real estate markets may have got the first big cooling measure today. The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) announced they are moving to tighten uninsured mortgage leverage. The organization that regulates Canada’s banks, eased the mortgage stress test last year. Now that it’s clear mortgages don’t need stimulus, they’re looking to […]
Canadian regulators are asking banks to set aside a little extra cash for a rainy day. Okay, a lot more cash for a downpour. Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) completed their bi-annual domestic stability buffer review. The regulator sees systemic risks, those that can cause instability to the financial system, remain elevated. […]
