As your mortgage loan provider, we are
here to outline all possible mortgage loan options
available to you and your family. As a borrower, it is important for you
to have the information you need in order to weigh the benefits against
the possible risk unique to each loan program. One type of loan for you
to consider is an ARM loan. How is an ARM loan different from a Fixed
Rate loan? ARM stands for Adjustable Rate Mortgage. The interest rate
used to figure the payment "adjusts" according to a specific financial
index. Therefore your loan payment loan payment may increase or decreased
after the loan is closed. By contrast, a fixed rate loan has an interest
rate that remains constant throughout the tern of the loan. How is an ARM
interest rate determined? Interest rates on ARM loans are usually based
on an "index"
with the addition of a "margin".
index
A number used to compute the interest rate for an adjustable-rate mortgage
(ARM). The index is generally a published number or percentage, such as
the average interest rate or yield on Treasury bills. A margin is added to
the index to determine the interest rate that will be charged on the ARM.
This interest rate is subject to any caps that are associated with the
mortgage.
margin
For an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM), the amount that is added to the
index to establish the interest rate on each adjustment date, subject to
any limitations on the interest rate change.