1. What is the difference between interest rate risk and default risk? How do combinations of terms in ARMs affect the allocation of risk between borrowers and lenders?
2. Which of the following two ARMs is likely to be priced higher, that is, offered with a higher initial interest rate? ARM A has a margin of 3 percent and is tied to a three-year index with payments adjustable every two years; payments cannot increase by more than 10 percent from the preceding period; the term is 30 years and no assumption or points will be allowed. ARM B has a margin of 3 percent and is tied to a one-year index with payments to be adjusted each year; payments cannot increase by more than 10 percent from the preceding period; the term is 30 years and no assumption or points are allowed.