The prepayment/refinance option is a one-way option that goes entirely to the borrower: if rates fall the borrower can refinance without penalty, but if rates rise the bank cannot force the borrower into a higher rate; this option is especially valuable on a 30-year loan because little principal is paid early and longer-dated options are worth more, and properly priced it would imply higher interest rates.

causalpending

Speaker

Arnold Kling

Evidence Quote

it's an option that goes entirely to the borrower and again if it were properly priced in I think that option would enclose pretty high interest rates on the types of loans that have become typically United States that is a 30-year loan

Source

Arnold Kling on the Unseen World of Banking, Mortgages, and Government 07/5/2010EconTalk
Created: 6/13/2026, 7:04:06 PM

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