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Tag Archive: mortgage regulation


Late Breaking News from OSFI on its New Stress Test

Important Clarifications… Here’s more of what you need to know about the new stress test rules, straight from the regulator: On the Need to Act Now 25.6% of uninsured mortgages originated between July and December 2020 had a “qualified TDS” above 43%, OSFI says. 44% is the limit, and for a healthy market you really want to see that number...

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New Uninsured Mortgage Stress Test Starts June 1

Here’s the latest on what we know about the banking regulator’s new mortgage stress test proposal… 12:10 p.m. ET Update OSFI has proposed a tougher minimum qualifying rate for uninsured mortgages. As planned, it will be the higher of: the mortgage contract rate plus 2%, or a 5.25% floor rate That 5.25% floor is 0.46%-pts higher than the current minimum...

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OSFI Resumes Its Stress Test Review

For those who think the 4.79% minimum qualifying rate (mortgage “stress test” rate) is too strict, here’s a breaking update. Tweaks to the often-criticized “stress test” are back on the table. OSFI said today that it “will resume its policy work on the minimum qualifying rate for uninsured mortgages by issuing a new consultation tomorrow at noon (ET).” “OnJanuary 24,...

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Stricter Housing Rules: Brace for Impact

If you follow the real estate market—and who doesn’t nowadays?—you’ve likely noticed growing speculation about new mortgage rules. Home prices are seemingly out of control, with national average prices up a shocking 25% y/y — amid a recession no less. “Canada hasn’t had a market overheating of this scope since the late 1980s,” says RBC. A growing chorus of analysts...

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One Year After Yields Crashed

The Mortgage Report: March 8 It was one year ago that Canada’s 5-year yield plunged to an all-time low of 0.27%. Since then, it has more than tripled — and the bond market hasn’t taken a breather. Investors keep dumping bonds and driving up yields. They fear things like: inflation excessive government borrowing and stimulus the end of government bond-buying...

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First-Time Home Buyer Incentive Revamped

The Liberal government wants to give its much-criticized First-Time Home Buyer Incentive (FTHBI) a redo. In its Fall Economic Statement this week, the government said it’s going to make it easier for borrowers to qualify. Effective “spring 2021,” first-timers who use the program will be able to purchase a home up to 4.5 times their household income (currently four times)...

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OSFI on Reviewing the Stress Test Rate

If you’re hoping the mortgage stress test gets easier—so you can qualify for bank financing—you’ve got more waiting to do. Canada’s banking regulator, OSFI, says it’s not ready to adjust the stress test just yet, despite proposing last February to ease it. OSFI spokesperson Michael Toope tells us: “On March 13, 2020, OSFI suspended all of its consultations and policy...

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OSFI on When It Will Reassess the New Stress Test

On March 13, 2020, our banking regulator suspended its work on improving Canada’s uninsured mortgage stress test. Its decision was made in response to challenges posed by COVID-19. Prior to that, OSFI had indicated that a new and improved stress test would start as soon as April 6, 2020, pending public consultation and review. At the time, the regulator acknowledged...

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Morneau Out. The Mortgage Impact

Canada’s Finance Minister influences the mortgage market more than any other politician, and now we’re getting a new one. Finance Minister Bill Morneau, who’s held that role since November 4, 2015, is out. He resigned today. To say Morneau was pro-mortgage tightening is an understatement. The 57-year-old Liberal cabinet minister presided over numerous impactful changes to Canada’s mortgage market, including:...

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Industry Leader Calls for Stress Test Fixes Now

—The Mortgage Report: June 29— Stress Test Fix Overdue: Ottawa was sensible to pause the mortgage stress test changes “given the marketplace uncertainty in March,” says Paul Taylor, President and CEO, Mortgage Professionals Canada (MPC). “However, as we begin to open businesses again, and as economists are generally expecting a housing price downturn, now is the time for OSFI and...

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