AI models enter rate forecasts
Global examples show AI models being used to predict central‑bank moves—Australian AI ensembles forecast more cash‑rate hikes ahead of the RBA—highlighting a trend toward machine‑assisted rate and risk forecasting that Canadian lenders are watching reported. Insurers and financial services firms are citing AI as a top growth lever, underlining competitive pressure to adopt advanced analytics.
Microsoft CoPilot, Perplexity and Google’s Gemini were the three generative models singled out as agreeing on additional 2026 cash‑rate rises, according to Bank of Queensland chief economist Peter Munckton speaking to 9News. (9news.com.au) The RBA is sitting at a 3.85% cash rate after its February move, and the RBA’s February Statement on Monetary Policy notes market pricing implies about 60 basis points of further tightening by the end of the forecast. (sbs.com.au) European central banks have already been testing ML and non‑traditional data in forecasting at Bundesbank events this year, while the Bank for International Settlements has publicly promoted AI tools for monetary and financial analysis in recent speeches. (bundesbank.de) Consulting and industry reports show insurers flagging AI as a primary growth lever: BCG found only 7% of insurers have scaled AI programs despite heavy pilot activity, and a sector survey reported 66% of insurers say data and AI are central to growth strategies. (bcg.com) Canadian banks are already moving: RBC ranked among the world’s most advanced adopters in Evident’s global index and announced a January 2025 partnership with Cohere to co‑develop generative AI products for financial services. (ca.finance.yahoo.com) Mortgage operations pilots show AI‑assisted workflows cutting touches per file and stabilizing SLAs, and lenders are layering those efficiency gains onto rate‑repricing playbooks as domestic teams model scenarios where Scotiabank forecasts roughly 50 basis points of policy tightening in 2026. (flatworldmortgage.com)
