RBC Financial Performance Update
Structural backdrop to the Canadian and U.S. housing markets
Regulation
Consumer
Behaviour
Lender
Behaviour
Lenders'
Recourse
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Canada (1)
Government influences mortgage underwriting policies
primarily through control of insurance eligibility rules
Fully insured if loan-to-value (LTV) is over 80%
Must meet 5-year fixed rate mortgage standards
Government-backed, on homes under $1MM
Down-payment over 20% on non-owner occupied
properties
- CMHC last increased mortgage loan insurance premiums
in 2017 by ~15% for new mortgages with LTV over 90%
- Minimum down payment for new government-backed
insured mortgages is 10% for portion of the value of a
home being purchased that is between $500,000 -
$999,000, and 5% below $500,000
Re-financing cap of 80% on non-insured
Mortgage interest not tax deductible
Greater incentive to pay off mortgage
Strong underwriting discipline; extensive documentation
Most mortgages are held on balance sheet
Conservative lending policies have historically led to low
delinquency rates
Ability to foreclose on non-performing mortgages, with no
stay periods
Full recourse against borrowers (2)
U.S.(1)
Agency insured only if conforming and LTV under
80%
No regulatory LTV limit - can be over 100%
Not government-backed if private insurer defaults
Mortgage interest is tax deductible
Less incentive to pay down mortgage
Wide range of underwriting and documentation
requirements
Most mortgages securitized
Stay period from 90 days to one year to foreclose
on non-performing mortgages
■ Limited recourse against borrowers in key states
(1) Current regulation and lenders recourse. (2) Alberta and Saskatchewan have some limited restrictions on full recourse.
45 | CANADIAN HOUSING MARKET
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