
Adjustable rate mortgage loans are those without a fixed interest rate throughout the entire term of the loan. While their popularity has been in decline recently, it is starting to re-enter the market place. These loans have a fixed rate for a specific period of time, but after the expiration of this period, the interest rate will fluctuate for the remainder of the term. In most cases the interest rate on the loan adjusts on an annual basis based on a current market index (either LIBOR or the US Treasury Index) added to the lender’s margin or markup. These loans were very popular up until the early part of the 21st century.