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The Fed Just Hiked Rates. Here's What It Means for Your Canadian Mortgage.

  The U.S. Federal Reserve raised its benchmark rate 25 basis points yesterday — the first hike in three years. The Bank of Canada hasn't moved. That gap is now the biggest story in Canadian personal finance. MoneySavings.ca  |  September 17, 2026  |  Canadian Money Brief Yesterday afternoon, the Federal Open Market Committee voted 12-0 to raise the U.S. federal funds rate by a quarter point, pushing it to a target range of 3.75%–4.00%. It's the Fed's first rate hike since July 2023, and Chair Kevin Warsh made clear it almost certainly won't be the last. The Bank of Canada, by contrast, has held its overnight rate at 2.25% through seven straight meetings. It doesn't decide again until October 28. For Canadians with a mortgage, a renewal coming up, or a home equity line of credit, this matters more than it might look at first glance. 3.75–4.00% New U.S. Fed Rate 2.25% Bank of Canada Rate 1.625% Rate Gap (vs. 1.375% yesterday) ~71.5¢ Loonie (post-hike low) What th...

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Arctic Blast: Winter Storm Spreads from New Orleans to Florida and Carolinas

A major winter storm that brought record-breaking snow to New Orleans has now spread into Florida and the Carolinas, causing significant disruptions and dangerous conditions. The storm, which initially slammed Texas and blanketed the northern Gulf Coast with snow, has moved eastward, bringing heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain to parts of the Florida Panhandle, Georgia, and eastern Carolinas.

In New Orleans, the storm set a new record with 10 inches of snowfall, far surpassing the previous record of 2.7 inches set in 1963. The rare snowfall led to highway closures, grounded flights, and school cancellations. The unusual weather also prompted the first-ever blizzard warnings for several coastal counties near the Texas-Louisiana border.

As the storm continues its path, Jacksonville, Florida, is expected to see snow, sleet, and accumulating ice, leading to the closure of Jacksonville International Airport and the cancellation of classes and government offices. In eastern North Carolina, near-blizzard conditions are predicted, with up to 8 inches of snow expected in the Outer Banks.

Authorities have reported three deaths related to the cold weather, and dangerous below-freezing temperatures are expected to persist over much of the region. Residents are advised to stay indoors and monitor local forecasts as the storm moves through Georgia and the Carolinas.

Despite the challenges, many people have embraced the rare weather, engaging in snowball fights, sledding, and even urban skiing in New Orleans. The storm has certainly made for a memorable winter in the Deep South.


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