Bank of Canada interest rate hike: Introduction
Unfortunately for many Canadians, their fears are about to be realized. On Wednesday, January 17th the Bank of Canada interest rate hike began. The Bank of Canada raised its key lending rate by a quarter percentage point to 1.25%. This is the third time it’s moved its benchmark rate from once-record lows last summer.
Bank of Canada interest rate hike: How will changes in the prime lending rate affect Canadians?
Changes in the prime lending rate affect variable-rate mortgages, lines of credit and other lending linked to the benchmark rate, and this means that borrowers will be paying more. And the Bank of Canada interest rate hike has a ripple effect.
The Royal Bank of Canada raised its prime lending rate by a quarter of a percentage point, to 3.45%, effective Thursday, January 18th. Canadians expect that Canada’s other big banks will do the same. Already all of Canada’s Big Six banks raised their listed five-year mortgage rates by 15 basis points to 5.14%.
It’s now going to be more difficult for home buyers to qualify for mortgages, particularly with the new stricter guidelines. As you can see, a rise in interest rates can have far-reaching effects.
Bank of Canada interest rate hike: Reasons Canadians are concerned
With so many Canadians walking a financial tightrope, the last thing they wanted to see was an increase in interest rates. A recent survey by Ipsos showed that:
- 48% of Canadians are within $200 of not being able to meet their financial obligations
- 40% of Canadians worry that they’ll be in financial trouble if interest rates keep rising
- 33% of Canadians can’t keep up with their monthly bills and make their debt repayments
- 30% of Canadians are concerned that rising interest rates could push them close to bankruptcy
Bank of Canada interest rate hike: Are you worried about the interest rate hike?
If you’re like many Canadians who worry that the rise in interest rates will push you over a cliff financially, now is the time to seek professional help. A licensed trustee can give you answers, options and a realistic plan for recovery.
Contact Ira Smith Trustee & Receiver Inc. We’ll evaluate your situation and help you to arrive at the best possible solution for your problems, whether that solution is a bankruptcy alternative like credit counselling, debt consolidation or a consumer proposal or bankruptcy. Give us a call today and Starting Over, Starting Now you can be on your way to debt free living.