Author: Robert Jessi

Canada’s financial services sector, long characterised by stability and concentration among a handful of large banks, is undergoing a decisive digital transformation. Over the past 18 months, a confluence of regulatory reform, infrastructure modernisation and fintech innovation has begun to reshape how money moves, how data is shared and how consumers interact with financial institutions. The result is not merely incremental change, but the foundations of a more open, competitive and technology-driven system. The most significant shift has been the long-awaited arrival of consumer-driven banking, more commonly known as open banking. After years of consultation, the federal government confirmed in…

USD The suspension of US strikes on Iran, in place since late Friday with Tehran holding fire for as long as Washington does, initially extended the dollar’s slide yesterday before the move reversed sharply through the US session. June durable goods orders rose just 0.3%, well short of the 1.8% rebound traders had looked for. But with front-end Treasury yields barely retreating despite ‘s collapse and an AI-led rout in chipmakers dragging Wall Street off its highs, the greenback closed net higher against most majors. The sits at a one-month high of 101.5 this morning, with markets pricing a 35%…

Commerzbank analysts highlight that the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) unexpectedly tightened policy for a second straight meeting, slightly increasing the Singapore Dollar (SGD) Nominal Effective Exchange Rate (NEER) slope while leaving the band’s centre and width unchanged. The move signals greater concern over inflation risks despite benign data and softer energy prices. USD/SGD dipped modestly toward 1.2890 after the announcement and was around 1.2910 earlier.Surprise MAS move supports Singapore Dollar”In a surprise move, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) tightened monetary policy for the second consecutive meeting.””It increased the rate of appreciation of the SGD NEER policy band “very…

Summary:USD/CAD traded near 1.4100 on Tuesday as traders awaited the Federal Reserve’s policy decision. Falling crude oil prices continued to limit gains for the Canadian dollar despite a softer US dollar. Markets are also monitoring US-Iran negotiations, which have weighed on oil prices and the loonie’s outlook. The USD/CAD pair edged lower on Tuesday, trading around 1.4100, as investors avoided taking aggressive positions ahead of the Federal Reserve’s interest rate decision. While the US dollar softened slightly after recent gains, the Canadian dollar’s upside remained constrained by weaker crude oil prices, leaving the currency pair close to its highest levels of the…

The Euro (EUR) is failing to draw any significant support from the truce in the Middle East and the lower Oil prices and keeps heading south against the US Dollar (USD) on Tuesday. EUR/USD bears are testing fresh one-month lows below 1.1360, drawing near the year-to-date low of 1.1324.Market optimism about a negotiated end of the US-Iran conflict and the 12% decline in Brent Oil prices have triggered a mild appetite for risk during the European session, with European stock markets showing marginal gains following a negative session in Asia. Risk appetite, however, has not translated into a weaker US Dollar…

Saipem H1 2026 slides: cash flow surges despite Middle East costs

Jennifer Tozser, senior wealth advisor and portfolio manager at National Bank Financial Wealth Management, joins BNN Bloomberg to discuss the markets. The Bank of Canada is unlikely to raise interest rates this week, even as the war in Iran continues to put pressure on energy prices and inflation, explains a financial analyst. Gas prices are already acting like a rate hike for Canadians, Jennifer Tozser, senior wealth advisor and portfolio manager at National Bank Financial Wealth Management told BNN Bloomberg. Weaker-than-expected job growth and uncertainty surrounding CUSMA and the housing market are key factors affecting Canada’s economic health, which Tozser…

Commerzbank’s Moses Lim argues that Bank Indonesia Governor Perry Warjiyo’s surprise resignation, following earlier high-profile departures, heightens concerns over policy continuity and institutional credibility as the Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) trades near historic lows versus the US Dollar (USD). Market focus now shifts to the choice of successor, with some candidates seen as reassuring and others potentially undermining confidence, keeping USD/IDR supported near term.Governor exit keeps USD/IDR supported”The Indonesian rupiah (IDR) faces renewed depreciation pressure following the surprise resignation of long-serving Bank Indonesia (BI) Governor Perry Warjiyo yesterday.””Warjiyo, who had led the central bank since 2018, stepped down for personal reasons…

Right now, traders would rather own dollars against the risk of a hawkish Fed than wait for the policy debate to be settled. Takeaways The dollar remains firm despite limited movement in Treasury yields, suggesting FX traders are taking the risk of a hawkish FOMC seriously. The Fed does not need to hike to support the dollar; it only needs to keep the possibility of further tightening alive. Lower oil prices are failing to lift because monetary-policy divergence remains the dominant theme. The Swiss franc may replace the yen as the funders’ pawn. The Dollar Is Voting Before the Fed…

USD/CAD trades around 1.4095 on Friday at the time of writing, up a modest 0.06% as the US Dollar (USD) retains a slight advantage following the release of solid US economic data, while the Canadian Dollar (CAD) remains pressured by weak domestic indicators and softer Oil prices.The United States (US) S&P Global Composite Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) rose to 53.6 in July from 51.9 in June, signaling an acceleration in private sector activity. The Services PMI improved to 53.6, while the Manufacturing PMI eased slightly to 53.8 from 53.9. According to Chris Williamson, Chief Business Economist at S&P Global Market…