Skip to main content

Featured

Big Six Banks Raise Fixed Mortgage Rates: What Your Renewal Costs Now

  Canadian Money Brief • Mortgages Updated Saturday, October 17, 2026 If your mortgage term ends this winter, the rate you saw advertised in August is probably gone. All six of Canada’s big banks have raised fixed rates since early September, and the Bank of Canada hasn’t touched its policy rate in almost a year. That disconnect catches a lot of homeowners off guard. Your fixed mortgage rate doesn’t follow the Bank of Canada. It follows the bond market. And bond yields have been climbing on oil-driven inflation worries, which means the people feeling it first right now are the ones opening a renewal letter. The numbers at a glance Up to 0.50 pt in fixed-rate increases at the big banks in about five weeks • BoC policy rate still 2.25% • Big bank prime still 4.45% • About $110 a month more on a $400,000 balance from a half-point jump How far have the big banks moved? Depending on the term, some big bank fixed rates are up by as much as half a percentage point in roughly five week...

article

White House Showdown: Trump and King Abdullah Clash Over Gaza’s Future

 

At the White House on Tuesday, President Donald Trump is set to meet with Jordan’s King Abdullah II in what promises to be a high-stakes discussion on the future of Gaza. In recent days, Trump has pushed a controversial proposal envisioning the transformation of the war‐torn Gaza Strip into what he calls the “Riviera of the Middle East.” His plan would require relocating Gaza’s Palestinian residents to neighboring Arab states—including Jordan and Egypt—a proposal that has already sparked widespread outrage in the region and raised fears of further instability.

The meeting comes amid heightened tensions surrounding a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. After Hamas announced a pause in the release of hostages—accusing Israel of violating the truce—Trump intensified his rhetoric, suggesting that if Jordan and Egypt do not accept Gaza refugees, he might withhold critical U.S. aid to these longtime allies. 

King Abdullah, known for his pragmatic approach to regional security, is expected to push back strongly against the proposal. Concerned that the influx of additional refugees could destabilize Jordan and undermine prospects for a two-state solution, the Jordanian monarch is likely to emphasize national dignity and long-standing regional dynamics in his response. 

As global attention remains fixed on the evolving crisis in Gaza, this tense encounter at the White House could signal a turning point in U.S.–Arab relations. Observers are keen to see whether a compromise can be reached or if divergent visions for the Middle East will further widen existing divides. 


    Comments