Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions

The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) was established in 1987 by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions Act. OSFI is the primary regulator and supervisor of federally regulated deposit-taking institutions, insurance companies, and private pension plans. OSFI monitors and examines these for solvency, liquidity and safety and soundness, and to ensure they comply with their governing financial legislation.

OSFI's activities can be divided into two broad functions: regulation and supervision. Regulation involves interpreting and applying legislation and regulations, issuing guidelines, and approving requests from federally regulated institutions as required under financial legislation. Supervision involves assessing the safety and soundness of federally regulated financial institutions and pension plans, and using supervisory powers to intervene in a timely manner to protect the rights and interests of depositors, policyholders and pension plan members.

 OSFI and Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation jointly have developed a Guide to Intervention for Federal Financial Institutions. The guide provides a framework for responding effectively to circumstances that could lead to the instability of a financial institution which ultimately increases the likelihood of averting the institution's failure.

The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada is responsible for consumer protection and ensuring that the market conduct of federally regulated financial entities complies with federal legislation and regulations.