Once again, the Bank of Canada has released that it will keep its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 1.75%. The last rate change was in October 2018, which was the fifth time since the summer of 2017 that the BoC has decided to raise the rate. In the fall, there was a high guarantee that the rate would rise numerous times in 2019, however, with the economic slowdown that began in the fall (compounded by the slowdown in Canada’s oil sector), has led many to believe rates will hold or drop throughout the year.
What does this mean? The BoC’s rate directly affects the rate that you will get from a retail bank for lending (mortgages and lines of credits) and savings products. When the rate is low, it means that it is cheaper to borrow money, but not as lucrative to save.
The BoC has eight fixed dates each year on which it announces whether or not it will change the policy interest rate. The announcement dates are January 9th, followed by March 6th, April 24th, May 29, July 10, September 4th, October 30th, and December 4th.
