Big Bank Slashes Fixed Rate for First Time Since 2017
“We’re in a rising rate environment,” we’ve been told over the past 12 months. And while that’s certainly been the trend — the best five-year fixed rate has been steadily climbing since a low of 2.24% in July of 2017 to a recent mark of 3.34% earlier this month – it seems one big bank is altering that course.
The Royal Bank of Canada lowered its posted five-year fixed rate from 3.89% to 3.74% Wednesday. This is the first time RBC has slashed its rate since October 2017.
The other big banks are expected to follow.
“RBC is the largest mortgage lender in Canada, so whenever they move their mortgage rates we can expect that the other four banks will follow suit,” James Laird, president of CanWise Financial, said. “We anticipate that the other big banks will soon have a publicly posted rate of 3.74% as well.
“We have expected this move from lenders since bond yields dropped in December, after the Bank of Canada’s announcement stating that future rate hikes would be slower and less frequent. The most recent Bank announcement highlighted policymakers’ concerns with our energy and housing markets, which suggested to us that rates will be stable for a longer period of time than had previously been anticipated.”
So, what does this mean for aspiring homebuyers?
Savings, of course.
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According to Ratehub.ca’s mortgage payment calculator, a homeowner with a $400,000 mortgage and 5-year fixed rate of 3.89% will have monthly mortgage payments of $2,080.
Comparatively, a homeowner with a 5-year fixed rate of 3.74% would have monthly mortgage payments of $2,048.
A 0.15% difference in their mortgage rate would lower mortgage payments by $32 per month or $384 per year.
However, homebuyers can save even more by shopping around. The best mortgage rate in Ontario, for example, is 3.29% for a five-year fixed rate. That’s also the best mortgage rate in BC and Alberta.
“Canadians who need a mortgage this year should check back frequently with rate sites and mortgage providers. As the spring homebuying market approaches many lenders will offer deep discounts and promotions in order to attract new customers,” Laird said. “Anyone looking for a variable rate should act quickly because the current stable interest rate environment is causing lenders to reduce the discounts being offered on variable rate mortgages.”
With the Bank of Canada interest rate holding steady, and no Bank of Canada interest rate hike on the horizon any time soon, more big banks may well choose to drop their rates as well. All of this is good news for you if you're looking to buy a home.
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