Royal Bank of Canada (RY.TO) said it boosted interest rates on its fixed-term mortgages by 20 basis points, ahead of an anticipated increase in the benchmark interest rate by Canada's central bank.

The new two-year rate is 2.54 per cent while the three-year rate is 2.64 per cent and the five-year rate is 2.84 per cent, for mortgages with amortization periods of 25 years or less.

"This rate increase reflects recent activity by competitors, and the current costs that we incur for funds on the wholesale market as well as other costs and market considerations," RBCspokeswoman Jill Anzarut said in a statement.

The Globe and Mail had earlier reported about RBC's fixed-term mortgages rates hike.