Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions Archives - Mortgage Rates & Mortgage Broker News in Canada

OSFI removes mortgage stress test on switches

OSFI eyes loan-to-income rules to replace stress test as industry weighs implications

June 7, 2025 3 Comments

Canada’s banking regulator is weighing a major overhaul to how borrowers qualify for mortgages, one that could have significant implications for banks, brokers and homebuyers alike.

Fixed mortgage rates rise as bond yields near 4 percent

Mortgage Digest: Fixed mortgage rates rise as lenders retreat from aggressive pricing

June 2, 2025 No Comments

RBC hiked its fixed mortgage rates for the second time in May last week, but it wasn’t the only one. A growing number of lenders have continued raising pricing in recent weeks, particularly for uninsured terms.

OSFI warns of mortgage payment shocks as key risk to Canada’s financial system

March 14, 2025 No Comments

Canada’s banking regulator has flagged mortgage payment shocks as a significant risk to the country’s financial stability, citing the large volume of mortgages set for renewal in the coming years.

OSFI launches public consultation on capital adequacy rules

February 20, 2025 No Comments

Canada’s banking regulator has launched a 60-day public consultation on updates to capital adequacy guidelines, aiming to strengthen the financial stability of Canada’s banks.

EXCLUSIVE: BMO brings back OSFI’s stress test for uninsured mortgage switches

December 19, 2024 No Comments

The excitement over last month’s removal of the stress test for uninsured mortgage switches may have been short-lived—at least for some bank customers.

OSFI holds domestic stability buffer at 3.5%, cites stable but lingering risks

December 17, 2024 No Comments

Canada’s banking regulator announced no change to the amount of capital banks must keep on hand to cover potential future losses.

OSFI’s stress test change sparks industry confusion

November 29, 2024 No Comments

Canada’s banking regulator threw the mortgage industry a curve ball last week when a representative suggested there were some restrictions to a recent policy change most brokers weren’t aware of.

OSFI’s stress test on mortgage switches ends: What you need to know

November 20, 2024 1 Comment

Starting tomorrow, certain mortgage borrowers will find it easier to switch lenders, thanks to the removal of the requirement to qualify at a higher stress test rate.

Mortgage rate war to intensify as lenders compete for renewal business, analyst says

November 14, 2024 No Comments

Former Scotiabank Mortgage head John Webster weighed in, noting that the big banks’ competitive pricing is unsustainable and unlikely to continue for long.

Mortgage Digest: First-time buyers relying on gifted down payments more than ever

July 29, 2024 No Comments

Mortgage down payment gifts from family members remain a crucial factor for first-time homebuyers in Canada, even as the housing market cools and economic conditions tighten.

Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions