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Big Bank Earnings Are In: What They Reveal About Your Mortgage Stress

  August 26, 2026 Canada's biggest banks are in the middle of reporting Q3 2026 results, and so far the headline numbers look strong. BMO and Scotiabank both beat analyst estimates this week, and National Bank of Canada reported this morning. RBC, TD, and CIBC follow Thursday, closing out the sector's earnings season. But the number that actually matters to most Canadians isn't profit — it's what the banks are setting aside for loans that might go bad, and what they're saying about who's struggling to keep up. That's where the picture gets more interesting than the headlines suggest. The headline numbers BMO kicked off the week with adjusted profit up 22% year-over-year and return on equity climbing to 14%, with the bank reiterating its target of 15% ROE by the end of fiscal 2027. Scotiabank posted what CEO Scott Thomson called a record quarter: net income of $3 billion, up 21% year-over-year, with adjusted ROE hitting 14.2% — clearing the bank's own med...

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Canada's Unemployment Rate Hits 6.8% Amidst Job Market Challenges


Despite a significant increase in hiring, Canada's unemployment rate rose to 6.8% in November, marking the highest level since January 2017, excluding the pandemic period. The economy added 51,000 jobs last month, with most of the gains in full-time employment. However, the rise in unemployment was driven by more people entering the job market, reflecting ongoing challenges in the labor market.

The Bank of Canada is closely monitoring these developments as it prepares for its upcoming interest rate decision. High interest rates have cooled the labor market over the past year, leading to longer periods of unemployment for many Canadians. The job report also highlighted that 46.3% of unemployed Canadians in November had not worked in the last year or had never worked, up from 39.5% a year ago.

As the country navigates these economic headwinds, the focus remains on balancing job growth with inflation control and interest rate adjustments.




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