Each week we help break down the important economic issues on Canadiansâ minds. With our unique access to leading experts, timely insights and helpful explainers, we navigate the latest in the world of finance, housing, business, the markets â and more.
For legal disclosures, please visit http://bit.ly/socialdisclaim and www.gbm.scotiabank.com/disclosures
In this episode, we have two experts to break down the latest scams and tell us how to avoid falling victim. From bank impersonation scams to AI and even old-fashioned door-to-door grifts, Detective Constable Valerie Dahan from Toronto Police Service and Aaron McAllister, Vice President of Fraud Threat Management at Scotiabank, run down the red flags and what to do if you suspect you, a loved one or a neighbour might be a victim.
For more fraud prevention resources, check out Scotiabankâs Cybersecurity and Fraud Hub.Â
For legal disclosures, please visitâŻhttp://bit.ly/socialdisclaimâŻandâŻwww.gbm.scotiabank.com/disclosuresÂ
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Key moments this episode:Â
2:02 â Val tells us about her role at Toronto Police Services and an overview of the scams landscape right nowÂ
3:23 â Aaron gives us his overall take on the current state of scamsÂ
4:11 â Broader context about scams and how they are often perpetrated by overseas victims of human trafficking Â
8:07 â A deeper dive into specific scams starting with impersonation scams, specifically bank impersonation scamsÂ
13:24 â Val breaks down romance scams and the psychology behind them that makes them so potentÂ
20:07 â What are home improvement scams and what should people look out for?Â
22:26 â Are seniors targeted more often with scams?Â
23:13 â Some final tips on how people can protect themselvesÂ
What the first rate cut since March tells us about the economy
Some welcome relief has come for consumers and businesses as the Bank of Canada has decided to lower its key policy rate by 25 basis points to 2.5%, marking the first cut since March. Â
Scotiabankâs Chief Economist Jean-François Perrault is back to explain what drove the central bankâs decision, what it says about the state of the economy, why we âarenât out of the woodsâ yet on inflation, the odds of another cut this year, and much more.Â
For legal disclosures, please visitâŻhttp://bit.ly/socialdisclaimâŻandâŻwww.gbm.scotiabank.com/disclosuresÂ
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Key moments this episode:Â
00:53 - JFâs main takeaway from the Bank of Canadaâs decision to cut its key policy rateÂ
1:53 - What does this say about the state of the economy?Â
2:28 - How much of an impact does a cut of 25 basis points have on the economy? (And why another cut is likely)Â
5:08 - With counter-tariffs on the U.S. largely eliminated, what is driving inflation in Canada now? What is keeping inflation higher than hoped?Â
7:39 - What does JF see for the economy ahead, given all the uncertainties?Â
9:14 - With a federal budget to be announced in November, what could this influx of government spending mean for the economy and inflation?Â
12:33 - How will this 25 basis point cut impact households, individuals, and businesses? And why mortgage borrowers are most likely to feel the impactÂ
14:14 - Will lowering interest rates and making it easier for consumers to buy a house drive up prices and inflation?Â
15:16 - Why JF expects the Bank of Canada to cut again before the end of the year â but then possibly start to reverse them next yearÂ
16:26 - JFâs main takeaways for Canadians from the central bankâs announcementÂ
Breaking down 5 key stats to help you interpret the economy
The economy seems to be top of mind for most Canadiansâ right now. But it can be hard to understand which stats actually matter and what they mean for us. So, Scotiabank Senior Economist Farah Omran is back this episode to break down five key economic indicators to help you better interpret the state of the economy and understand the headlines.  Â
For legal disclosures, please visitâŻhttp://bit.ly/socialdisclaimâŻandâŻwww.gbm.scotiabank.com/disclosuresÂ
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Key moments this episode:Â
1:44 â Why understanding economic indicators is especially important nowÂ
2:19 â Indicator #1: InflationÂ
6:35 â Indicator #2: GDP growthÂ
10:41 â Indicator #3: Unemployment rateÂ
13:55 â Indicator #4: Bank of Canada policy rateÂ
18:25 â Indicator #5: Housing pricesÂ
21:17 â Bonus indicator: ProductivityÂ
Bank of Canada holds rate for third time as Canadian economy shows resilience
The Bank of Canada has decided to hold its key policy rate steady at 2.75%, for the third consecutive time, amid ongoing trade uncertainty. Â
Scotiabankâs Chief Economist Jean-François PerraultâŻreturns to break down the central bankâs decision to hold once again, how Canadaâs economy has been stronger than anticipated, possible economic scenarios ahead, and much more.Â
For legal disclosures, please visitâŻhttp://bit.ly/socialdisclaimâŻandâŻwww.gbm.scotiabank.com/disclosuresÂ
Key moments this episode:Â
 1:10 - JFâs main takeaway from the decisionÂ
1:35 - Did we learn anything from the Bank of Canadaâs commentary or outlook?Â
2:31 - Was a hold the right call in JFâs view?Â
3:16 - JF walks us through the Bank of Canadaâs three possible economic scenarios aheadÂ
5:18 - What scenario does JF think is most likely?Â
5:55 - How unusual is it for the Bank of Canada to not have an economic forecast?Â
7:14 - What is the current state of Canadaâs economy?Â
9:30 - A breakdown of Canadaâs âunbelievableâ employment numbersÂ
10:34 - Which sectors are feeling the impact of trade uncertainty the most?Â
12:17 - Scotiabank Economicsâ outlook for rate decisions for the rest of 2025Â
15:07 - Whatâs happening in Canadaâs housing market?Â
16:54 - JFâs main takeaways for Canadians from the Bank of Canadaâs decision and outlook?Â
The importance of newcomers to the Canadian economy
Newcomers to Canada are still critical to fuel our country's economic growth, despite recent cuts to immigration targets. In this episode, weâre joined by Kingsley Chak, the Senior Vice President of Deposits and Investments at Scotiabank, and Anthony Bambokian, Senior Economic Analyst with Scotiabank. Theyâll discuss Canadaâs changing immigration targets and the potential economic impacts that may have, the hurdles new Canadians face, some of the services Scotiabank offers newcomers, and much more.Â
For legal disclosures, please visitâŻhttp://bit.ly/socialdisclaimâŻandâŻwww.gbm.scotiabank.com/disclosuresÂ
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Key moments this episode:Â
2:14 - Anthony catches us up on Canadaâs immigration numbers from pre-COVID to presentÂ
7:13 â Why, despite changing targets, Canada will always be a nation of immigrantsÂ
8:48 â What balance Canada needs to strike when it comes to new arrival targetsÂ
10:24 â What are the main challenges newcomers face when they first arrive in Canada?Â
11:30 â Some data around how long it takes newcomers to find their economic footing after arriving in CanadaÂ
13:25 â Two more key hurdles many newcomers face in CanadaÂ
14:42 â What challenges newcomers face when it comes to banking and financesÂ
19:02 â The numbers behind newcomers and entrepreneurshipÂ
21:12 â How Kingsley's personal immigration story also relates to bankingÂ
22:18 â Final takeaways from the conversation
Scotiabankâs Chief AI Officer, Yannick Lallement, returns to fill us in on the latest breakthroughs in artificial intelligence. Heâll also give us an update on how AI is being used in the banking and finance world and what might be on the horizon.Â
For legal disclosures, please visitâŻhttp://bit.ly/socialdisclaimâŻandâŻwww.gbm.scotiabank.com/disclosuresÂ
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Key moments this episode:Â
1:54 â How Yannick got to be Scotiabankâs Chief AI OfficerÂ
3:44 â Did Yannick expect this proliferation of AI technology when he started studying it in the 90s?Â
4:37 â The thing that surprised Yannick most about the latest breakthroughs in AIÂ
5:45 â The surprising way Yannick uses AI in his day-to-day workÂ
6:30 â A new type of AI on the horizon: agentic AIÂ
9:02 â In general, has the financial services industry adopted AI?Â
9:37 â How has Scotiabank been adopting AI?Â
15:25 â How banks and other institutions are safeguarding clients when it comes to AIÂ
18:22 â What Yannick sees for the future of AI in bankingÂ
Bank of Canada holds its key interest rate steady as inflation strengthens, economy weakens
The Bank of Canada announced that it has held its policy interest rate steady at 2.75% for the second consecutive time as tariff uncertainty continues to loom, the Canadian economy shows signs of weakness and inflation persists. Â
Scotiabankâs Chief Economist Jean-François Perrault is back on the show to break down the central bankâs latest decision, whatâs happening with inflation and in Canadaâs housing market, why he doesnât expect any interest rate cuts this year, and much more.  Â
For legal disclosures, please visitâŻhttp://bit.ly/socialdisclaimâŻandâŻwww.gbm.scotiabank.com/disclosuresÂ
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Key moments this episode:Â Â
1:00 â What is JF's main takeaway from the Bank of Canada's latest decision?Â
1:43 â JF breaks down Canada's latest GDP numbers and how that factored into the central bank's decision to holdÂ
4:03 â A closer look at inflation in Canada and how key measures are risingÂ
6:35 âJF's outlook for the economy in the coming monthsÂ
10:00 â Why JF isn't expecting the Bank of Canada to announce a cut this yearÂ
14:06 â What's happening in the Canadian housing market? If interest rates stay put for awhile, what kind of ripple effect could that have?Â
16:29 â The main takeaway from the Bank of Canada's decision and outlook for CanadiansÂ
Financial abuse has been called âThe crime of the 21st centuryâ and elder financial abuse in particular is becoming increasingly prevalent. In this episode, our guests are Raeann Rideout, Director of Strategic Partnerships for Elder Abuse Prevention Ontario, and Nicole Daley, Senior Investigator for Central Canada at Scotiabank Corporate Security Investigation Services. They'll explain how elder financial abuse happens, how to spot it, what to do if youâre a victim or suspect someone is and more. Â
For more resources and information please visit Elder Abuse Prevention Ontario or Scotiabank's Cybersecurity and fraud hub.Â
For legal disclosures, please visitâŻhttp://bit.ly/socialdisclaimâŻandâŻwww.gbm.scotiabank.com/disclosuresÂ
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Key moments this episode:Â
1:40 â Starting with the basics: what is elder financial abuse?Â
2:41 â A few stats to give a sense of the scale of the issueÂ
4:16 â How does this type of abuse typically start?Â
4:55 â Who are the typical perpetrators of elder financial abuse?Â
7:33 â How to spot elder financial abuseÂ
8:33 â Misconceptions around this issueÂ
9:30 â How power of attorney, or POA, factors into elder financial abuseÂ
10:56 â How seniors can balance the benefits of a POA for property while still protecting themselvesÂ
12:15 â What should someone do if they are a victim or suspect someone is a victim of elder financial abuse?Â
14:16 â What Scotiabank is doing to prevent financial abuse of seniorsÂ
15:15 â Final takeaways from the discussionÂ
Investing Through the Ages, Part 2: Navigating retirement in an age of volatility
With life expectancy on the rise, people may actually spend more time in retirement than they do working. With that in mind, this episode is the second of a two-part series weâre calling Investing Through the Ages. In it, weâll work our way through different age groups and break down how they should be thinking about saving and investing at each stage along the way. In this instalment, weâre looking at age 50 and beyond, also known as the decumulation stage. Erin Griffiths, the Executive Vice President of Scotiabank Global Wealth Solutions, is our guest to give tips on how to age gracefully from a financial perspective in the face of recent volatility, how to best shift from saving to generating income from your assets, address some common misconceptions about this phase and much more.Â
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For legal disclosures, please visitâŻhttp://bit.ly/socialdisclaimâŻandâŻwww.gbm.scotiabank.com/disclosuresÂ
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Key moments this episode:Â
1:46 â Erin introduces us to what experts call the âdecumulation stageâÂ
4:25 â How should people think about investing differently at this stage?Â
6:09 â How longevity has complicated retirement planning in recent yearsÂ
9:35 â Addressing common misconceptions about managing money at age 50+Â
10:55 â How should people who are facing retirement or recently retired be navigating market volatility? Â
13:40 â What exactly does a financial plan look like at age 50+?Â
15:50 â Breaking down the two key elements around planning for retirement: financial and personalÂ
19:13 â What challenges do women in particular at this age face when it comes to wealth management?Â
20:15 â What about intergenerational wealth transfer â how does that factor into financial planning?Â
22:09 â What Erin wants people to take away from this conversationÂ
The Professional Womenâs Hockey League (PWHL) recently announced they'll be adding two new teams next season and league-wide attendance has now surpassed the 1 million mark. Whatâs been the key to this still-young leagueâs huge success? Jayna Hefford, the Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations for the PWHL and a four-time Olympic gold medalist with Team Canada, tells us how the business strategy behind the league helped propel it beyond a successful launch and into part of whatâs becoming a cultural movement.   Â
For legal disclosures, please visitâŻhttp://bit.ly/socialdisclaimâŻandâŻwww.gbm.scotiabank.com/disclosuresÂ
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Key moments this episode:Â
2:02 â Jayna's overall assessment of the PWHLâs second season so farÂ
3:36 â What surprised Jayna about the make-up of the fansÂ
4:23 â The strategy to sustain fan excitement for the second seasonÂ
5:20 â How a mandate from leadership helped enable some of the league's innovationsÂ
7:53 â Why has this iteration of professional womanâs hockey gained traction?Â
10:16 â How does the PWHL attract talent?Â
11:25 â How viewership has changed since the league started and how that's helped growthÂ
12:43 â The role the PWHL plays in wider societal changeÂ
15:08 â A look ahead to next seasonÂ
16:32 â What the success of the PWHL means personally to JaynaÂ