California Real Estate SalespersonFinancingMedium

An adjustable-rate mortgage is tied to a 1-year Treasury index currently at 4.2%, with a lender margin of 2.75%. What is the fully indexed rate the borrower's interest rate would adjust to at the next reset, assuming no rate caps apply?

  1. A2.75%
  2. B4.20%
  3. C6.95%
  4. D1.45%
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C. 6.95%

The fully indexed rate on an ARM equals the index rate plus the lender's margin: 4.2% + 2.75% = 6.95%.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A. This is only the margin, ignoring the index.
  • B. This is only the index rate, ignoring the margin.
  • D. This is the difference between the two figures, not the sum.

ARM Fully Indexed Rate

The fully indexed rate on an adjustable-rate mortgage equals the index rate plus the lender's margin.

  • Index reflects a market benchmark rate (e.g., Treasury, SOFR)
  • Margin is a fixed percentage added by the lender
  • Rate caps may limit how much the rate can actually adjust

Memory trick: Index + Margin = Fully Indexed Rate.

More Financing questions