In certain markets, Adjustable Rate Loans (ARMs) may offer a low introductory rate or start rate. This start rate is for a limited time. As a rule, the lower the start rate is the shorter the time before the loan makes its first adjustment.
Index
The index of an ARM is the financial instrument that the loan is "tied" to, or adjusted to. The most common indices are the 1-Year Treasury Security, LIBOR (London Interbank Offered Rate), Prime, 6-Month Certificate of Deposit (CD) and the 11th District Cost of Funds (COFI). Each of these indices move up or down based on conditions of the financial markets.
Margin
The margin is one of the most important aspects of ARMs because it is added to the Index. This will determine the interest rate you will pay. When the margin is added to the index, it is called the “fully indexed rate”. Margins on loans may range from 1.75% to 3.50%, for example.
Interim Caps
All adjustable rate loans carry interim caps. Many ARMs have interest rate caps of six months or a year. There are loans that have interest rate caps of three years. Interest rate caps are beneficial in rising interest rate markets, but can also keep your interest rate higher than the fully indexed rate if rates are falling rapidly.
Payment Caps
Some loans have payment caps instead of interest rate caps. These loans reduce payment shock in a rising interest rate market, but can also lead to deferred interest or "negative amortization.” These loans generally cap your annual payment increases to 7.5% of the previous payment.
Lifetime Caps
Almost all ARMs have a maximum interest rate or lifetime interest rate cap. The lifetime cap varies from company to company and loan to loan. Loans with low lifetime caps usually have higher margins, and the reverse is also true. Those loans that carry low margins often have higher lifetime caps.