With Canada and the United States being neighbours, the common saying goes that “if the U.S. sneezes Canada will catch a cold”. When it came to the housing bubble both countries experienced marginally different outcomes. Canada was able to shield itself from the effects of the Financial Crisis due to its regulatory system, corporate governance and strong banking systems (Lynch, 2010). The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OFSI) regulates the Canadian banks; the regulation is in accordance with the Bank Act of 1992 and is regularly updated to find ways to protect the banking system from falling (Lynch, 2010). The top six Canadian banks are tightly linked, and equipped to consolidate if one bank should fall (Lynch, …show more content…
The premiums charged are risk adjusted and could be paid upfront or as an annuity. As of June 2015, the premiums will go up for Canadian mortgages with down payments lower than ten percent. The use LMIs and other depository insurances such as CDIC are crucial to the understanding of how the Canadian banking system is resistant to economic downturns. The use of protocols and regulations allow financial institutions to reduce their risk and guarantee the repayment of their loans (Saunders & al, 2014).
U.S. Perspective
The banking system in the US deviates from Canada, the banks are regulated at the state level and therefore could never mimic the sophisticated banking structure of their neighbours (Saunders et al, 2014). There were many red flags early on that should have been questioned by the Federal Reserve. First of all, some of the worst practices in the housing market were in place and known to the public. Appraisers were overvaluing properties, banks were paying credit companies for the rating of their bonds and mortgage backed securitizes loosened their standards (Baker, 2008). This is the equivalence of taking the debt and moving it elsewhere with no worry of when and how the repayment would occur. The biggest red flag that was not addressed was the rapid
Although the Canadian Bank oligopoly has traditionally been uncontested, the environment in which they operate is experiencing significant change. In order for retail banks to remain relevant in a decade, they must make significant changes to their business model. International political landscape tensions hinder international ambitions of banks and while the increased regulation is viewed as an additional burden, it is currently one of the rare forces keeping new entrants from dominating the entire industry. The Canadian population is facing a significant shift affecting the banks environment, their customer base includes an increasing proportion of millennials, women and visible minorities. Canada has the second largest population of foreign born habitants, and due to mass migration this trend will intensify.
13. Domestic chartered banks in Canada are regulated by A) OSFI only. B) federal regulators only. C) provincial regulators only. D) SROs only. E) federal and provincial regulators which may include SROs, depending on their activities. 14. OSFI is: A) the prudential regulator of banks in Canada B) the SRO of banks in Canada. C) the market conduct regulator of banks in Canada. D) the securities regulator of banks in Canada. E) the insurance regulator of banks in Canada.
Throughout history the Canadian and American banking systems have always taken separate approaches to the financial sector. There are many factors that influence the differences between the banking systems, some of which including their banking regulations, customer base and the chosen style of banking. All the factors presented have influenced the results of the banking sectors in both countries. Both systems have pros and cons, however the argument presented will reflect and support the benefits and success of the Canadian banking system and its ability to support the Canadian economy throughout the country’s history.
Beginning in 2007 and reaching critical mass in 2008, repercussions of economic downturn were being felt by nations across the globe. In North America, the collapse of the United States housing and mortgage market along with the wreckless actions of financial institutions and Wall Street can be identified as some of the main triggers in the downturn. Other nations were feeling declines as well, and the eventual decline in some European Union countries further contributed to this worldwide situation. This economic downward spiral quickly made its way into Canada, and was a huge issue of concern during the 2008 federal election. Out of this federal election walked a minority elected
The 2000s was an extremely eventful decade for Canadians, with fierce federal elections taking place and numerous disasters, such as the Toronto Explosions making a great deal of destruction. However, an event that left lasting effects was the 2008 global economic crisis, which due to its influence on the U.S and China, significantly impacted Canada’s economy and society. Although the crisis had a very negative effect on Canada, it also allowed the government, businesses, banks and citizens to learn from the struggles of the recession and allow Canada to emerge as a stronger and more successful nation. With the growing integration of the global economies, the financial crisis had a number of channels to spread through, thus, having a widespread
Within the past decade, Canada - specifically ontario, has seen and experienced a rapid increase in its housing market. Although some speculate a crash nearing, its strong growth in Ontario has become one of this decade’s largest issues. During the year of 2016 the average price of a home in the metropolitan area was $688,011, however, prices have increased by 33% in 2017 making the average home worth $916,000 dollars. This issue presents many difficulties as it affects Canada’s economy, it’s residents, immigrants, and more. Although some have tried to pass bills in order to reverse the increase, the presented plans are much worse. Take for example, Kathleen Wynne's proposed “foreign buyers tax”. With a plan as such being passed, all of
“The Bank of Canada immediately took over bank note operations from the Department of Finance. Offices of the Receiver General across the country became agencies of the new central bank. The Foreign Exchange and Securities Divisions started work right away, and a Research Division was established to advise on financial developments and business conditions” (Watts, G., & Rymes, T., 1993, p.9). Vardy, J. states in the “The Bank of Canada: An illustrated history” that the Bank of Canada was “privately owned with shares (at a par value of $50) sold to the public. Soon after the Bank began operations, a new government introduces an amendment to the Bank of Canada Act to nationalize the institution. In 1938, the privately held shares were purchased by the government and the Bank became entirely publically owned” (Watts, G., & Rymes, T., 1993, p.9) as it remains today.
1. At the start of the 21st century, RBC was Canada’s leading bank and largest bank in terms of assets and market capitalization. It was a full-service bank with five main lines of business: personal and commercial banking, insurance, wealth management, corporate / investment banking, and transaction processing. The commercial bank of RBC (Royal Bank) accounted for nearly 50% of the company’s net income and had an extensive delivery network with branches, Automated Banking Machines (ABM’s), point of sale terminals, mobile sales staff, and 1.4 million online banking customers and 2 million phone customers. The bank also had an extremely strong international network.
In the recent few decades, Canada has shown significant progress in the overall framework and currently ranks tenth in the world regarding nominal GDP. The real estate industry is the most dominant sector, the country also is one of the largest exporters of natural gas and petroleum on the one hand
In 2008, a financial crisis that originated in the United States led to the “Great Recession”, the worst economic disaster since the Great Depression. While the well-regulated Canadian banks did not collapse as they did in the United States, Canada was still impacted severely. The Canadian economy should be examined in the context of the Great Recession, which it is still recovering from.
The Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) was founded in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1864, and started its expansion into the Maritime Provinces in the 1970s. Today, RBC is Canada’s largest financial institution by market capitalization and total assets . RBC competes globally among the largest banks in the world with over fifteen million clients in forty-six countries worldwide. Although the majority of RBC’s revenues are produced in Canada (64%), a bit over a third are in the U.S (18%), and internationally (18%) , (See Exhibit 1).
The following essay will thoroughly examine the severe economic downturn of 2008, formerly known as the housing bubble collapse. We will mainly focus our discussion on the effects the financial crisis had on Canada and the U.S and examine why both countries were affected differently. Although the collapse of the housing bubble is the most identifiable cause, it is extremely difficult to pinpoint one specific defining moment or event triggering the global financial collapse. There are many factors involved, due to the complex nature of the financial systems across the world, and this paper will delve in the key contributing variables that led to this financial crises.
• Governance and oversight: Assessing business model and strategy changes and reinforcing the importance of sound corporate governance appropriate for the size and complexity of the individual bank. A specific focus will be on determining the adequacy of strategic, capital, and succession planning. Examiners will assess whether the plan is appropriate in light of the risks in new products or services. If applicable, examiners will assess the bank’s merger and acquisition processes and procedures.
Financial regulations are used to influence financial systems through times of financial instability. Regulations are not perfect, and does not guarantee a stress-free market, but it is necessary to prevent times of unsustainable economic growth, and financial crisis. With that being said, financial regulation has two goals: to ensure safety and soundness of the financial system, and to foster the growth and development of financial markets. If these goals are reached a thriving economy with great opportunities for investors, government budget surplus, and job creation. As a country, Canada has avoided many economic problems that haunt other countries like Greece, and the USA.
As a result, the major Canadian banks provided services within their marketplace from insurance to retail brokerage.