An adjustable-rate mortgage will have its own interest rate on a regular basis, typically annually. On the reset date, the speed will go up or down dependent on the current market interest rates. In certain circumstances, the rate of an individual mortgage may still grow even when market rates have dropped. The terms of the mortgage contract dictate how the loan rate is set. Function The speed on an adjustable-rate mortgage or ARM is determined by adding a margin fee to a specific interest rate index. Popular rate indexes for ARMs are the one-year constant maturity Treasury, or CMT; the London Inter Bank Offering Rate, or LIBOR; and the 11th District cost of funds index, or COFI. These speed indexes reflect short-term market interest rates. The margin amount is set from the mortgage contract and is based on the index used, but is typically 2 to 3 percent. By way…
What Causes Adjustable Mortgage Rates to Climb?
