TORONTO — Canada's big banks did better than expected in third-quarter results last week, but their CEOs say trade uncertainty is still an overhang that will take some time to shake.

Speaking at the Scotiabank Financials Summit in Toronto, banking leaders said Wednesday that the future of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico free trade deal is the biggest unknown as they look to drum up more business and guide for better returns ahead.

There is, however, already some degree of increased clarity, especially in the U.S., said BMO chief executive Darryl White.

"My uncertainty meter, as I've come to call it, is actually improving."

He pointed to the passage of U.S. President Donald Trump's landmark Big Beautiful Bill as providing tax certainty for clients that's helping them to invest more, while the tr

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