Mortgages & Home Loans What Is Current Indexed Value? Current Indexed Value Explained in Less Than 5 Minutes By Jamie Johnson Updated on June 29, 2022 Reviewed by Lea D. Uradu Fact checked by Gina LaGuardia Fact checked by Gina LaGuardia Gina LaGuardia has more than 25 years of experience in senior editorial roles, and is an expert in personal finance topics, including banking and lending. She has created content for financial powerhouses such as Chase Bank, American Express Canada, First Horizon Bank, BBVA, and SoFi. learn about our editorial policies In This Article View All In This Article Definition and Example of Current Indexed Value How Current Indexed Value Works Pros and Cons of Adjustable-Rate Mortgages Photo: Skynesher / Getty Images Definition The current indexed rate is the most recently published index rate underlying a variable rate loan. The current indexed rate is the most recently published index rate underlying a variable rate loan. It reflects the overall market conditions and any changes that are taking place in the market. Definition and Example of Current Indexed Value The current indexed value is the value your lender uses to determine how much you pay for a variable rate loan. If you’ve recently taken out a variable-rate loan, the indexed rate is one of the factors that determines your interest rate. The indexed rate is set by your lender and can be based on the following indexes: Federal Funds RatePrime RateThe London Interbank Offer Rate (LIBOR)The Cost of Savings Index (COSI) Your lender will calculate your interest rate using the indexed rate and the margin. The margin is based on your credit score and financial information. The amount you’re required to pay is known as the fully indexed rate. How Current Indexed Value Works When you take out an adjustable-rate mortgage, your rate will stay the same for the first couple of years. After that, it will adjust annually with the market.That means your interest rate is based on market conditions, not your credit score or financial situation. When it’s time for your interest rate to adjust, your lender will use the margin and index to determine your new rate. The index is a benchmark interest rate that changes based on current market conditions. The indexed rate can be based on several different factors, including the London Interbank Offer Rate (LIBOR), the Cost of Savings Index (COSI), or the lender’s prime rate. This index is usually determined when you first take out the mortgage and shouldn’t change after closing. For instance, if you take out an adjustable-rate mortgage through Wells Fargo, your interest rate is determined using the Wells Fargo Cost of Savings Index (Wells COSI). This index is calculated monthly and uses a weighted average of the interest rates paid on CDs by individual deposit holders. From there, your lender will add a certain number of percentage points to the index to determine your interest rate. These percentage points are known as the margin. The margin is also set before closing on the loan, and it won’t change. The total margin amount can vary depending on your lender. Once you add the margin and the index together, you get your fully indexed rate. Note When applying for an adjustable-rate mortgage, it’s important to shop around for different lenders. Your margin can vary depending on the lender you choose, and you can negotiate for a lower margin. Pros and Cons of Adjustable-Rate Mortgages Pros Low introductory rate Flexible terms Rate cap Cons Rate will change over time Unexpected hurdles Pros Explained Low introductory rate: Some people like ARMs because they come with a low introductory rate. That means your mortgage payments could be more affordable for the first few years you own the home. For instance, if you take out a 5/1 ARM, your interest rate is locked in for the first five years before adjusting annually. Flexible terms: If you don’t plan to stay in the house for long, an ARM could be a good option. You can enjoy a few years of low interest rates and then either sell the house or refinance to a fixed-rate loan. Rate cap: ARMs come with a rate cap, which means your interest rate cannot rise beyond a certain point. This can provide some peace of mind to borrowers. Cons Explained Rate will change over time: After the initial loan period, your interest rate will adjust annually. If interest rates are rising, that means your payments will go up. It can be quite a shock to some borrowers when they see their interest rate start to adjust.Unexpected hurdles: You may take out an ARM assuming you’ll sell the house in a few years, but things don’t always go as planned. You could find yourself unable to sell the home and unable to make your mortgage payments after the interest rate adjusts. Note Some ARMs come with a prepayment penalty, which is a fee you pay if you refinance or sell the home. If you’re considering taking out an ARM, you should look for a lender that doesn’t charge any prepayment penalties. Key Takeaways The current indexed value is the most recently published interest rate used to calculate a variable rate loan.The current indexed value reflects the current market conditions as well as any changes taking place.The indexed rate is set by the lender and can be based on factors like the London Interbank Offer Rate (LIBOR), the Cost of Savings Index (COSI), or the lender’s prime rate.When you take out an adjustable-rate mortgage, your interest rate is calculated by adding the margin and index together. The margin is a number of percentage points added to the index, and it’s determined by your lender before closing on the loan. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit Sources The Balance uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. HSH. “ARM Index Rates: Treasuries, SOFR Rates, LIBOR Rates, Prime Rate, and Other Common ARM Indexes.” Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.”For an Adjustable-Rate Mortgage (ARM), What Are the Index and Margin, and How Do They Work?” Wells Fargo. “Adjustable-Rate Mortgage Index.” First Mortgage. “Adjustable-Rate Mortgage: What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages?”