Session 14: Fixed Income: Valuation Concepts Reading 54: The Liquidity Conundrum
LOS c: Explain how subprime mortgage borrowers are granted a free at-the-money call option on the value of their property.
An interest-only mortgage with a balloon payment equal to the original principal is best described as:
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B) |
a free in-the-money call. | |
C) |
an at–the-money call with a cost equal to the interest payments. | |
In the speculative unit, the levered investment is riskier than the hedge unit. Here the borrower purchases an asset that is backed by enough cash flow to pay back the interest but not the principal. An example is an interest-only mortgage with a balloon payment equal to the original principal. This mortgage can be tempting to borrowers because of its lower monthly payment. |