Christine Dobby

Rapid technology advancements are fueling “insatiable appetite” for all forms of capital, according to Royal Bank of Canada Chief Executive Officer Dave McKay, who said his firm still has enough balance-sheet capacity to meet lending demand for the artificial-intelligence buildout.

Royal Bank of Canada Chief Executive Officer Dave McKay said he expects announcements related to major Canadian energy projects in the “coming weeks” while warning that the country needs to move fast to secure capital.

Plus: How World Cup stickers created a black market

Canada’s financial regulator lowered capital requirements for the country’s largest banks for the first time in three years, giving them flexibility to lend more to support a domestic push for defense spending, critical infrastructure and artificial intelligence.

Also: An executive shuffle at TD Securities

Plus: Every World Cup game is a home game in Toronto

Looser bank capital rules alone won’t boost economic activity, according to Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem, echoing analysts who questioned whether a recent regulatory change would immediately spur more lending without borrowers at the door.

Also: What’s behind sky-high bank valuations

Toronto-Dominion Bank tapped Jill Gateman to lead a newly combined commercial-banking business in the US.

Also: Five US banks report on one day next week