Financial System Hub
Promoting a stable and efficient financial system
Never miss an article from Bank of Canada when you sign up for email alerts.
Announcing the Bankers’ Acceptance Purchase Facility: a COVID‑19 event study
The Bank of Canada launched the Bankers’ Acceptance Purchase Facility (BAPF) to ensure that the bankers’ acceptance (BA) market could continue to function well during the financial crisis induced by the COVID‑19 pandemic. We review the impact that the announcement of this facility had on BA yields in the secondary market. We find that BA yield spreads declined by 15 basis points on the day of the announcement and by up to 70 basis points over a longer period. Using an econometric framework, we quantify the effect of the announcement and confirm early assertions presented in the Bank’s 2020 Financial System Review.What COVID-19 revealed about the resilience of bond funds
The liquidity management strategies of fund managers, supported by policy measures, have helped bond funds limit the increase in redemptions caused by COVID 19. This avoided further deterioration in liquidity in bond markets. Nevertheless, these funds were left with lower cash buffers, which could make them more vulnerable to additional large redemptions.COVID-19 and bond market liquidity: alert, isolation and recovery
The disruption due to COVID-19 reverberated through the bond markets in three phases. In the first phase, dealers met the rising demand for liquidity. In the second, dealers reduced the supply of liquidity, and trading conditions worsened significantly. Finally, the market returned to relative stability following several interventions by the Bank of Canada.Bank of Canada contributes to new publications by the Network for Greening the Financial System
As a member of the Central Banks and Supervisors Network for Greening the Financial System (NGFS), the Bank of Canada contributed to three publications that aim to improve global understanding of the impact of climate change on the financial system and world economy.Household indebtedness risks in the wake of COVID‑19
COVID-19 presents challenges for indebted households. We assess these by drawing parallels between pandemics and natural disasters. Taking into account the financial health of the household sector when the pandemic began, we run model simulations to illustrate how payment deferrals and the labour market recovery will affect mortgage defaults.Scenario Analysis and the Economic and Financial Risks from Climate Change
This paper adapts climate-economy models that have been applied in other contexts for use in climate-related scenario analysis. We consider illustrative scenarios for the global economy that could generate economic and financial risks. Our results suggest there are significant economic risks from climate change and the move to a low-carbon economy.Financial System Review Summary—2020
This issue of the Financial System Review focuses on the impact of COVID 19. The pandemic presents an unprecedented shock to the Canadian economy. This report identifies the effects on the Canadian financial system and explains how recent actions by the Bank and other policy-makers are helping to manage them. It further describes how a resilient financial system can help households and businesses smooth the effects of the COVID-19 shock and prepare for a robust recovery.
COVID-19: Actions to Support the Economy and Financial System
Learn about the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Bank’s actions to support the Canadian economy and financial system.Exploring new ways to pay
Deputy Governor Timothy Lane explains how the Bank of Canada is preparing for a future where Canadians may need a digital currency issued by their central bank.The Cyber Incident Landscape
The Canadian financial system is vulnerable to cyber threats. But for many firms, cyber risk is difficult to quantify. We examine public information on past cyber incidents to better understand the current risk landscape and find that a holistic view is needed to fully grasp the nature of this risk.Financial stability in an uncertain world
Senior Deputy Governor Carolyn A. Wilkins talks about the recent strengthening of Canada’s financial system.Climate Change Is a Big Issue for Central Banks
Climate change is transforming the economy and financial systemFinancial System Survey Highlights
This article presents the key results from the autumn 2019 Bank of Canada Financial System Survey, conducted September 24 and October 11, 2019. This survey included special questions on climate change risk.Home Equity Extraction and Household Spending in Canada
We use rich microdata to measure home equity extraction in Canada and track its evolution over time. We find home equity extraction has been rising in recent years and has likely contributed materially to dynamics in household spending.A Resolution Regime for Financial Market Infrastructures
Canada’s most important payment clearing and settlement systems now have a resolution regime. As resolution authority, the Bank of Canada has new powers to protect the stability of the Canadian financial system in the unlikely event an FMI fails.Launch of the Canadian Financial Sector Resiliency Group
This new public-private partnership led by the Bank of Canada focuses on the operational resilience of Canada’s critical financial infrastructure. The group will coordinate responses to major operational incidents, including cyber attacks, and plan initiatives to promote resilience.IMF Financial System Stability Assessment for Canada
The International Monetary Fund’s comprehensive analysis of the Canadian financial system increases awareness and encourages discussion and debate. The IMF consulted with the Bank of Canada and other Canadian authorities, but the report is an independent assessment and does not represent the views of the Bank.Financial System Review Summary - 2019
In our Financial System Review, we identify the main vulnerabilities and risks to financial stability in Canada and explain how they have evolved over the past year. This issue reflects the Bank’s judgment that the vulnerabilities associated with high household debt and imbalances in the housing market have declined modestly but remain significant. The Financial System Review is a product of the Governing Council of the Bank of Canada: Stephen S. Poloz, Carolyn A. Wilkins, Timothy Lane, Lawrence Schembri, Lynn Patterson and Paul Beaudry.