Consumers’ knowledge and use of home equity lines of credit puts their financial well-being at risk

News release

January 15, 2019
Ottawa, Ontario 

A report published today by the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC) suggests that although home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) are widely sold, many consumers appear to lack awareness of the terms and conditions of this financial product, exposing them to the risk of over borrowing, debt persistence, uninformed decision-making and wealth erosion.

FCAC’s report, Home equity lines of credit: Consumer knowledge and behaviour, provides the results of an online survey of approximately 4,800 Canadians to assess their knowledge, awareness and opinions regarding the key terms, conditions, fees and risks associated with HELOCs. 

Most survey respondents scored less than 50% on a test related to their knowledge of HELOCs terms and conditions. The results also show that more than 25% of survey respondents made mainly interest-only payments on their HELOCs. Moreover, 62% of these interest-only payers expected to repay their HELOC in full within 5 years, an overly optimistic result considering the more than 3 million Canadians holding a HELOC owe an average amount of $65,000. 

The survey follows up on FCAC’s 2017 report, Home equity lines of credit: Market trends and consumer issues. 

FCAC regularly conducts market studies, industry reviews and public opinion research to produce relevant and informative resources and tools for financial consumers. The Agency will use the research published today to refine its consumer education materials encouraging Canadians to make more informed decisions about HELOCs. In parallel, these findings will help inform the Agency’s proactive supervision of financial institutions. 

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Quotes

“These results point to a pressing need for financial institutions and FCAC to help Canadians realize that not using HELOCs responsibly can have serious repercussions on their financial well-being. Without a repayment plan, consumers may carry debt longer than anticipated and slip into patterns of behaviour that trap them on a treadmill of debt.”

Lucie Tedesco, Commissioner, Financial Consumer Agency of Canada

Quick facts

  • Over the past 15 years, HELOCs have emerged as the single largest contributor to the growth of non-mortgage household debt in Canada—more than double that of either credit cards or auto loans

  • Renovations, debt consolidation, vehicle purchases and daily expenses are the main uses of HELOCs

  • 19 % of respondents borrowed more on their HELOC than intended

  • Respondents aged 25-34 were most likely to struggle if their payments were to increase by $100 per month

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Contacts

Media Relations 
Financial Consumer Agency of Canada
613-941-4168
media@fcac-acfc.gc.ca

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