Bank of Canada (BoC)

Bank of Canada measures to counter coronavirus effects

BOC'S MONETARY STIMULUS

BoC: Ample room for the asset purchases to grow even larger – CIBC

By Matías Salord |

The Bank of Canada (BoC) on Friday lowered by 50bps the key interest rate to 0.50%. Analysts at CIBC, point the Canandian economy looks set to sharply contract in the first half of 2020 and BoC actions will help alleviate some of the pain and will support the recovery, whenever that begins. “The Bank of Canada joined the string of central banks throwing the kitchen sink at the economic downturn. In a move we've been expecting, the Bank of Canada cut rates another 50bps, bringing the target for the overnight rate down to 0.25%. In the accompanying statement, the Bank noted that this was the effective lower bound, so further rate reductions to 0% or into negative territory seem ruled out.”

BoC: Better late than never – BMO

By FXStreet Team |

The BoC has brought policy rates back to 2009 crisis low as the economic hit from COVID-19 is expected to be severe, Benjamin Reitzes from BMO Economics informs. “The BoC cut rates 50 bps to 0.25%, moving policy rates back to the lows seen during the financial crisis"

Canada: BoC to cut by 50 bps next month – TDS

By FXStreet Team |

Prime Minister Trudeau announced fiscal stimulus along with liquidity measures for households and small businesses while Finance Minister Morneau and Bank of Canada Governor Poloz didn't offer much new, economists at TD Securities apprise.

BOC event related news

BOC event related analysis

January BoC meeting review

BoC: A cut in April to dampen enthusiasm for the loonie – CIBC

Matías Salord
FXStreet

On Wednesday, the Bank of Canada kept its monetary policy unchanged but it opened the doors to a rate cut, weakening the loonie (CAD) across the board. Analysts at CIBC consider the central bank could cut interest rates in April. Key Quotes: “The Bank of Canada is keeping its fingers crossed that the economy will pick up after a soft fall and winter, but it’s no longer quite as sure of itself these days. As a result, while it kept interest rates unchanged today, and its economic forecast has the skies clear by spring, it conceded that there’s a risk that the sluggish trend could persist, a hint that a rate cut could still be in the offing ahead. That won’t be the case if growth and inflation follow the base case outlined in the forecast, which remains generally sunny enough.”

October BoC meeting review

CAD: Bank of Canada gives a dovish tilt

Giles Coghlan LLB, Lth, MA
HYCM

The Bank of Canada concluded that a more accommodative monetary policy was not needed at this time to address downside risks to the Canadian economy. The Bank of Canada noted the resilience of the Canadian economy in the midst of adverse global developments. They noted in their rate statement the following: "In considering the appropriate path for monetary policy, the Bank will be monitoring the extent to which the global slowdown spreads beyond manufacturing..."

Bank of Canada left policy rate unchanged at 1.75% in October as expected

By Eren Sengezer |

In a widely expected decision, the Bank of Canada on Wednesday announced that it left the policy rate steady at 1.75% at its October policy meeting. At 15:15 GMT, BoC Governor Poloz will be delivering his remarks on the policy outlook in a press conference. With the initial market reaction, the USD/CAD pair rose above the 1.31 handle and was last seen trading at 1.3107, adding 0.17% on the day. Below are some key takeaways from the policy statement, via Reuters.

September BoC meeting review

BoC: No change, a dovish statement – NFB

By Matías Salord |

At today’s Board meeting, the Bank of Canada (BoC) kept the key interest rate unchanged at 1.75% today. According to Krishen Rangasamy and Paul-André Pinsonnault, analysts at National Bank of Canada, point out that the statement was dovish as the central bank highlighted risks and downplayed the positive growth surprise of the second quarter.

BOC Recap: Loonie Rallies on Lack of Setup for an October Cut

Matt Weller, CFA, CMT
Faraday Research

While some analysts thought that the Bank of Canada could cut interest rates at today's meeting, punting the decision to October was always the more likely outcome. As my colleague Joe Perry noted in yesterday's BOC Preview report, "The next full update of the Bank's economy and outlook will not be until the October 30th meeting, so the bank may be likely to carry on with its "appropriate" language and continue to "monitor the data" until then."

BoC: Global developments the key to future decisions – RBC CM

By Matías Salord |

After today’s meeting, the Bank of Canada (BoC) kept its interest rate unchanged at 1.75% as most expected. Josh Nye, Senior Economist at RBC Economics Research point out the central bank statement offered no direction regarding future policy moves and he warned that gobal developments hold the key to future decisions. “Since its July meeting, conversation has shifted from ‘if’ to ‘when’ the BoC will join its many global peers in lowering interest rates. But that evolution wasn’t obvious in today’s policy statement, which was more...”

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Big Picture

What is the BOC?

The Bank of Canada is the nation's central bank. Its principal role is "to promote the economic and financial welfare of Canada," as defined in the Bank of Canada Act. The Bank’s four main areas of responsibility are:

  • Monetary policy: The Bank influences the supply of money circulating in the economy, using its monetary policy framework to keep inflation low and stable.
  • Financial system: The Bank promotes safe, sound and efficient financial systems, within Canada and internationally, and conducts transactions in financial markets in support of these objectives.
  • Currency: The Bank designs, issues and distributes Canada’s bank notes.
  • Funds management: The Bank is the "fiscal agent" for the Government of Canada, managing its public debt programs and foreign exchange reserves.

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Who is BOC's president?

Stephen S. Poloz was born in Oshawa, Ontario, in 1956. He was appointed Governor of the Bank of Canada, effective 3 June 2013, for a term of seven years. He is the ninth Governor of the Bank of Canada. As Governor, he is also Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Bank and a member of the Board of Directors of the Bank for International Settlements (BIS). He currently chairs both the BIS Audit Committee and the Consultative Council for the Americas.

Stephen Poloz

Poloz

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the world interest rates table

The World Interest Rates Table reflects the current interest rates of the main countries around the world, set by their respective Central Banks. Rates typically reflect the health of individual economies, as in a perfect scenario, Central Banks tend to rise rates when the economy is growing and therefore instigate inflation.