The Bank of Canada, the Bank of England, the Bank of Japan, the European Central Bank, the Federal Reserve, and the Swiss National Bank are today announcing a coordinated action to further enhance the provision of liquidity via the standing U.S. dollar liquidity swap line arrangements.
The Bank of Canada today announced that it has completed arrangements for all employees to telework until further notice to protect the health of our staff and reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19.
The Bank of Canada has been working hard to ensure the financial system has sufficient liquidity so that credit continues to be available to businesses and households.
Governing Council’s decision to cut interest rates on Friday, 13 March, 2020 took place under unique circumstances. As such, Governing Council is offering this statement of its reasoning from the decision of March 13.
The Bank of Canada, the Bank of England, the Bank of Japan, the European Central Bank, the Federal Reserve, and the Swiss National Bank are today announcing a coordinated action to enhance the provision of liquidity via the standing U.S. dollar liquidity swap line arrangements.
Today, Minister of Finance Bill Morneau, Governor of the Bank of Canada Stephen Poloz, and Superintendent of Financial Institutions Jeremy Rudin outlined a coordinated package of measures being taken by financial sector partners to support the functioning of markets and continued access to financing for Canadian businesses.
The Bank of Canada today lowered its target for the overnight rate by 50 basis points to ¾ percent, effective Monday, March 16, 2020. The Bank Rate is correspondingly 1 percent and the deposit rate is ½ percent. This unscheduled rate decision is a proactive measure taken in light of the negative shocks to Canada’s economy arising from the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent sharp drop in oil prices.
The Bank of Canada is contributing to the collective effort to support the Canadian economy and financial system, and to ensure credit channels remain open.