How are mortgage rates set?

What is a variable mortgage rate?

A variable rate is directly tied to lender prime rates, which in turn are directly affected by the Bank of Canada's (BoC's) benchmark rate. Variable rates tend to be lower than fixed rates because they come with risk of change.

A variable rate may fluctuate during a mortgage term as determined by a BoC or lender decision to move the rate. That means that your interest costs can change on the fly, affecting your payment amount (for a floating payment (ARM) Adjustable-Rate Mortgage) or your amortization and mortgage balance (for a static payment (VRM) Variable Rate Mortgage).

What is a fixed mortgage rate?

A fixed rate is set for the duration of your mortgage term. Fixed rates tend to be higher than variable rates because you're paying a bit more for budget security. Fixed rates are mainly influenced by Bank of Canada bond yields and changes in the bond market — and are set by them accordingly.

How does the Bank of Canada influence variable mortgage rates?

The Bank of Canada (BoC) sets the 'target' for the overnight lending rate, which is the interest rate banks charge each other to cover their short-term daily transactions. In turn, this 'guiding' policy rate influences what banks charge their best customers — called the prime interest rate.

When the BoC changes its target overnight rate, it signals to the banks that it wants them to change their prime rates — which they usually do (but not always), passing on increases or decreases directly to their customers.

Banks offer many prime rate products with 'floating' interest rates, such as variable rate mortgages (ARMs and VRMs) and lines of credit (such as HELOCs).

How are variable mortgage rates set?

Variable mortgage rates are set from lender prime rates, and 'float' along with any prime rate changes.

However, lenders will often offer their 5-year variable rate (to their best clients) at a 'discount off of prime' to compete with other lenders. Lender discounts are each based on their mortgage-lending bottom lines and what the market will bear to attract business. The variable rate you sign up for includes your lender discount, which stays constant for your full 5-year term, even though the rate itself may change.

How do government bonds influence fixed mortgage rates?

Banks buy bonds from the Bank of Canada as a low-maintenance (less costly) source of fixed-interest income. They also use fixed mortgage rates as an income source, but mortgages are higher maintenance compared to bonds (it costs more to operate mortgage loans).

Fixed mortgage rates compete on similar terms with bonds to attract capital the lender needs (e.g. 2-year, 5-year), so lenders set their fixed rates for mortgages at a higher point than less-costly bonds to keep these two income sources on par.

How are fixed mortgage rates set?

Fixed mortgage rates are set higher than bond yields at a (typical) spread relationship of 1-2%, using the 5-year yield as the industry benchmark.

The 5-year fixed rate mortgage is the standard term that banks compete on, and so watching 5-year bond yields can offer a good indication of where fixed rates may be going.

• When 5-year bond yields are up, it usually means fixed rates will go up if the trend continues.
• When 5-year bond yields are down, it usually means fixed rates will also come down, though banks will react more slowly to decrease their rates.
• Bonds trade daily, so the 5-year mortgage rates can move at any time.
• Mortgage rates don't move lockstep with bond yields but have a spread-relationship that can help determine where rates may be headed.

When you sign up for a fixed mortgage rate, it's yours for your full term and won't change until it's time to renew.

When rates go up, what does it mean for getting a mortgage?

When interest rates increase, it costs more to borrow money. If you're in the market for a house, higher rates will impact how much you'll pay each month for your mortgage, or how much house you'll be able to afford.

For example, if you need a $200,000 mortgage, at 5% interest, your monthly payment would be $1,163.21 (for interest and principal) for 25 years (your amortization).

But if your mortgage rate was 1% higher, at 6%, your mortgage payments would be $1,279.62 per month. Bump the rate to 7%, and your monthly payments are now over $1,400. So, when interest rates go up, the trend is to save your money and spend less, especially on big purchases, such as a home or property.

Why do rates go up?

The BoC's primary purpose is to keep inflation in check, using a 2.0% target for the CPI basket of price-change measures it uses. It moves to raise its benchmark rate when it believes the economy is in danger of too-rapid growth that may lead to higher inflation.

For example, surging economic growth could cause a cycle of rising prices and wages and contribute to inflationary pressures, which can cause rates to go even higher to put the brakes on an 'unnatural' state of supply and demand.

So, the BoC aims to moderate growth and volatility with its benchmark rate to help keep multiple economic factors in check.

What happens when rates go down?

The simple answer is, of course, that the cost of borrowing goes down. Buying a home or property with a mortgage becomes more inviting because lower interest rates mean lower monthly payments or more 'house' that you'll be able to afford.

But, there's a catch. Lower rates are an unmistakable signal from the central bank that the economy is slowing down (job losses? wage cuts?), and people aren't buying enough big-ticket items. When rates are lowered, it can help spur economic growth by making it more attractive for businesses and consumers to borrow.

The caution comes with the potential to allow low rates for too long. The extended economic stimulus may again risk igniting inflation and therefore rising rates. Correctly forecasting the balance of risks between stimulating or cooling our economy is the central bank's most difficult and most important task.

Pause, hike or drop.

At its rate dates, the central bank will either move its benchmark rate up or down or keep it the same — and offer comments on the economic conditions and influences that instructed its decision. It will also indicate a direction for future rate decisions based on these sentiments.

It can take action between these scheduled times — but only under extraordinary circumstances.

The U.S. Federal Reserve also sets rates eight times a year. And the Bank of England sets rates 12 times a year.

What is a mortgage stress test rate?

Regardless of the actual mortgage rate you receive from your lender, you'll need to qualify at a higher rate determined by the federal government. Right now, you'll be stress-tested at a rate that's at least 5.25%, or 2.0% higher than your contract rate, whichever is greater.

This requirement was set in place in 2019 to help ensure Canadian homeowners can still afford their payments if rates go up.

Read more about how the latest stress-test rules may affect your home affordability.

Thinking about which rate to set for your mortgage?

Hold your best rate for up to 4 months while you mull it over.

At True North Mortgage, your expert mortgage broker can offer your best qualifying rates (thanks to our volume discount) and great mortgage advice. Unified, salaried, and highly-trained — we'll help you sort out your options, and which rates or mortgage products will be the best for your situation.

Our in-house lender, THINK Financial offers industry-best rates that are 0.18% lower on average compared to big banks and other mortgage finance corporations (MFC) lenders.

Holding your best rate for as long as the lender will allow (can be up to 4 months) will protect you against increases while you make home buying or mortgage decisions.

Check out our current great rates here. Then, give us a shout — online, over the phone or at one of our store locations. Anywhere you are in Canada, we're here for you.

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