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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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Global Shipping Gridlocked as Tanker Damage Sparks Worldwide Disruption

Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has ground to a near halt after vessels in the area were hit as Iran retaliated.

Global shipping has been thrown into turmoil as escalating conflict around the Strait of Hormuz leaves tankers stranded, damaged, and unable to move through one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints. Insurance companies have begun cancelling war risk coverage for vessels operating in the Gulf, intensifying the crisis and forcing shipowners to halt or reroute traffic. 

What’s happening

  • At least 150 vessels, including oil and LNG tankers, are currently stranded around the Strait of Hormuz after multiple ships were hit amid rising regional tensions. 
  • Four tankers have been confirmed damaged, and at least one seafarer has been killed, prompting widespread safety concerns among crews and operators. 
  • The strait—responsible for transporting roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply—has seen traffic grind to a near standstill. 

Why it matters

The disruption is already rippling through global markets. Oil and gas prices have surged as uncertainty grows around supply stability. Shipping costs are expected to rise sharply as vessels take longer, more expensive routes or remain anchored indefinitely.

Broader implications

  • Energy markets face heightened volatility as supply chains tighten.
  • Global trade could experience delays across multiple sectors, from manufacturing to consumer goods.
  • Maritime insurers may reassess coverage across other high‑risk regions, potentially reshaping global shipping patterns.


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