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Newly2b

08/15/04 12:11 PM

#284404 RE: lee kramer #284400

Yes, the "long bond" is used to set fixed mortgage interest rates. Adjustable mortgage interest rates are tied to any one of a number of indexes: COFI (Cost of Funds Index), T-Bills, etc.

When considering an ARM, be sure you know what index it is tied to because a slower moving index (such as COFI) means smaller adjustments to your rate in future, whereas a volatile index (such as T-Bills) means more extreme adjustments to your rate. Also be sure to check the margin (the amount added to the index figure to determine your interest rate; this is set at the time the loan is taken, and does not change).

Newly