French mortgage market picks up

The French mortgage market has picked up over the past four weeks with many banks adjusting their rates downwards and changing product lines.

Toronto homeowners face property tax hike after home values gain 22.8%

TORONTO — The average value of Toronto homes has risen 22.8% since 2008 and property taxes could rise as a result, according to the latest assessment by Ontario’s property appraisers.

Bank of Canada maintained tightening bias and overnight rate at 1.0%

The Bank of Canada left the overnight rate at 1.00% at its meeting today as was universally expected. More notable was the maintenance of the mild tightening bias that had been in place since April 2012.

Overseas cash buyers continue to boost Miami real estate market

Miami home prices rose again in September, marking 10 consecutive months of appreciation boosted by cash buyers from abroad, the latest figures from the Miami Association of Realtors show.

Developers decry high commercial property taxes

Homeowners are paying an increasing proportion of property taxes in Vancouver and Toronto – but not in Montreal, where businesses are increasingly picking up the tab.

New mortgage lending guidelines raise concerns

Finance office backs off on two proposals after feedback from industry insiders. New mortgage regulations are prompting concern among industry insiders.

Industry Canada plans increase in costs for small-business loan program

OTTAWA — Small business will pay more, the banks will earn more and taxpayers will lose more under an Industry Canada plan to revamp the rules for a troubled lending program.

Banks Still Raising Fees—and Hiding Them: Study

Many big banks still aren't being upfront about their checking-account fees and are even charging more for some basic functions, a new study says.

China’s big banks rebuff government pressure to lower borrowing costs

China’s biggest banks are resisting government pressure to lower borrowing costs amid an economic slowdown as they seek to maintain the profitability of their lending operations, officials at the top four lenders said.

Iranian-Canadians fume as TD closes accounts

Several Iranian-Canadians are crying foul after the TD Bank abruptly closed their accounts with little explanation other than to say it had to comply with federal economic sanctions against Iran.

Bank of Japan stands pat, cuts economic view as recession risk looms

The Bank of Japan kept monetary policy steady on Friday despite mounting political pressure for action as sagging exports to China and Europe heighten the chance of a recession, preferring to hold fire now to assess the effect of last month’s stimulus.

Europe crisis a ‘clear and present danger’: Flaherty

OTTAWA – Europe’s debt crisis represents a “clear and present danger” and has not improved despite some helpful measures by policymakers,  Finance Minister Jim Flaherty said on Wednesday in some of his harshest language yet on the issue.

Australia central bank cuts rates

Australia’s central bank cut interest rates by a quarter point to a three-year trough of 3.25 per cent on Tuesday as a slowdown in China, falling export prices and a high currency all dimmed the economic outlook at home.

Eurozone faces October of unrest, with Greece, Spain troubles in focus

Europe faces a month that may decide the success of the European Central Bank’s bid to end the debt crisis.