The prime rate in Canada is a floating rate calculated using the Bank of Canada’s overnight target rate, also known as the policy rate, that applies to variable mortgage products. Additionally, as the BOC’s overnight target rate continues to change, it also affects the prime interest rate, which is used as a benchmark for various mortgage transactions in Canada. Because prime rates change along with the overnight target rate, some refer to it as the Bank of Canada prime rate. But in reality, the lender sets the prime, not the Bank of Canada.

Today’s Canadian prime rate is set at , higher than at the start of 2020 after rising from its previous level of 3.70% before the pandemic. It comes after the accelerated cuts to the overnight rate to help boost the economy hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and minimize the impact on Canadian’s finances.

However, there is a high probability of rates rising shortly. Trends from the US market indicate rapidly rising rates. The Canadian market would see a similar effect in the long term. The ongoing and unfortunate conflict in Ukraine and rising inflation rates also contribute to rate volatility.

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Key Takeaways:

• The prime rate is the benchmark rate banks use as a starting point for their variable rates products such as variable mortgages, variable car loans, lines of credit, HELOCs and credit cards.
• Bank of Canada sets its policy rate, and then by adding a spread, the various banks determine their prime rates.
• The prime rate in Canada has recorded significant changes over the last 87 years from its introduction in 1935. It recorded its all-time high rate of 20.03% in August 1981.

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Prime Rate vs Bank of Canada Overnight Rate (1935 – 2023)

The prime rate in Canada refers to the benchmark rate set by the banks using the BoC rates as their starting point for varying mortgage interest rates. The target to the overnight rate, also known as the policy rate, is determined by the Bank of Canada (BoC), which, with an additional spread, comes up with the bank prime rate.

History has recorded significant changes to the prime rate in Canada over the last 87 years. With an all-time high of 20.03% in August 1981, when the Bank of Canada hiked rates to control inflation to the lowest rate of 2.25% in April 2009 during the financial crisis, Canadian borrowers have seen several changes in their mortgage journey. The longest period that the prime mortgage rate remained unchanged at 3.0% was between September 2010 to January 2015.

Since the introduction of inflation targeting in 1991, the most significant increase in the prime interest rate in Canada was 4.25%.

The current prime rate as of December 5, 2023 stands at .

The current overnight rate as of December 5, 2023 stands at .

_{Source: bankofcanada.ca}

Types of Loans Impacted by the Prime Rate

Variable-Rate Mortgage

A variable-rate mortgage fluctuates with the prime CA rates throughout the mortgage term. Based on the current market conditions, your variable-rate mortgage interest will increase or decrease depending on the bank’s prime rate, which also impacts your monthly principal payments. If you choose a variable mortgage rate home loan, you may be able to take advantage of a decrease in CIBC prime rate if it does happen within your loan period. This means you’ll pay less interest on the home loan than it would if it were a fixed-rate mortgage loan.

Variable-rate Car Loans

Variable-rate car loans are interest rates that rise and fall with the Royal Bank prime rate. Your lender will add a little extra percentage, known as the spread, on the base Bank of Canada’s policy rate to acquire some profit as you make your monthly payment. Therefore, a variable-rate car loan means having a variable interest rate where your repayments fluctuate with the market prime.

While variable-rate car loans could lead to lower interest rates due to the eventual fall of the prime rate in Canada, it could also pose a potential risk of additional interest-carrying costs if the prime lending rate in Canada rises in periods of financial prosperity.

Home Equity Lines of Credit (HELOCs)

A home equity line of credit, also known as HELOC, refers to lines of credit secured using your home’s equity. HELOC is a way homeowners can access funds for renovations, large expenses, or an alternative debt repayment because it comes as a lump sum cash. Usually, lenders offering HELOC are willing to provide lesser interest rates than what is obtainable in personal loans.

Revolving Credit: Credit Cards and Line of Credit

Variable-rate credit cards charge interest based on the lender’s prime rate. Though not as popular as before, variable-rate credit cards are now more widely known as lines of credit cards. All revolving credit products have either a fixed rate from the credit card issuer or come as a line of credit with a variable interest rate. Fluctuations in the lender’s prime rate will align with changes in the Bank of Canada’s policy rate – affecting the interest you are charged on your revolving credit products. Revolving credit is an umbrella term used for all re-advanceable credit products – you can pay and reuse the limit immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions: Prime Rate

Frequently Asked Questions: Bank of Canada Target Overnight Rate

_{Source: bankofcanada.ca}

Brief History of Prime Rates in Canada

Bank of Canada was Formed in 1935

The Bank of Canada was founded in 1935 in Ottawa to make decisions on the financial aspect of the Canadian economy. The BoC decides the overnight target rate and can make changes at any time. Since its inception in 1935, it helped lead the rise from the great depression that crippled the world economy. 

1935 – 1955: The Great Depression, World War II & Post War

From the 1930s, the great depression and World War II significantly impacted Canada’s economy, causing strong criticism of the country’s financial system. At the time prime rate in Canada, which started at 2.5% in 1935, had by the end of 1955 fell to 2.0%. Although there was a sharp fall to 1.5% in 1945, Canada’s role in supplying natural and manufactured resources during the second world war helped beef up its economy.

1977 – 1991: Global Oil Crisis

After World War II, the Canadian economy continued to rise slowly along with the prime rate until it hit a high point of 10.28% in October 1978. The oil boom due to record high prices caused by the OPEC oil embargo saw the prime rise even further, up to 20.03% in 1981, before falling steadily to 7.14% in March 1987.

1991 – 2008: Economic Recovery

During the Canadian economic recovery, the Bank of Canada introduced the inflation rate targeting to prevent the prime rate from falling below expectations.

2009 – 2017: The Great Financial Crisis

The great financial crisis of 2009 saw the BOC prime rate slump below 1%, reaching a record low of 0.5%. Furthermore, the fall in oil prices in 2014 also contributed to Canada’s recession, which affected the rates causing it to fall from its recovery rate of 1.25% back to 0.75% in 2015.

2018-2023: COVID

After the great financial crisis, the Canadian economy grew significantly and witnessed a slow rise in rate. Although the 2019 inflation prevented the BOC prime rate from increasing beyond 1.75% as of 2019, the COVID pandemic also caused a reversal that saw the BOC overnight rate plunge to 0.25% by the first quarter of 2020. Today, the BOC rate stands at , while the Canadian bank prime rate is 6.70%.

Final Thoughts

From the start of prime rates in 1935 to the introduction of inflation targeting in 1991, the Canadian economy has seen many up and downs that significantly affected the financial lending market. The 1981 all-time surging rates should be warnings of possible variable mortgage risks. In retrospect to the 1980s, our technology today provides many systems to survey and control the financial markets in protecting Canadians against surges to the prime rate.

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