Rates up 300% Since May

As predicted by most Financial Pundits, the Bank of Canada key overnight rate jumped another 33% from it’s previous rate, and is now an astronomical 300% higher than what it was in May!

How can this be possible? Well the rate went up 0.25% to 1.00% (from 0.75%) and remember in May it was at 0.25%, but it is much more sensational to use the increase numbers isn’t it?

Many folks who are in the know claim this may be the last increase until after Q1 2011, unless something drastic happens in the economy (like say an inflationary Tax is implemented (can you spell HST)). The Bank of Canada’s CPI Target of around 2.0% is still above the current rate (1.6% using their basket of goods), so in the Bank’s estimation inflation is still under control, so that is another reason that rates may not be going up much soon. Given how fragile the U.S. economy is proving, we may not see any more increases for the next little while, but remember these low rates are still historically low, and now is the time to take advantage of them.

What do I mean by taking advantage of low rates? If you are in a variable rate debt class situation (like a line of credit or variable rate mortgage), now is the time to pay off your debt while the interest charges are low, and you get more bang for your buck, and you can pay more of your principle off. Did you think I was saying go out and buy things on credit? You don’t read this blog much, do you?

Overnight Rates Since 2000