What is meant by “movement to a more stable product”?
Generally, a more stable product would include movement from: A mortgage loan with an interest-only feature to a fully amortizing mortgage product (provides amortization of principal and accumulation of equity in the property); An adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) to a fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) (elimination of the potential for payment shock); An ARM to a new ARM with an initial fixed period of five years or more, and equal to or greater than that of the existing mortgage (elimination of pending payment shock and movement to the same or longer initial fixed-interest rate period); or A 30-year FRM to a 15-, 20-, or 25-year FRM (accelerated amortization of principal and building of equity). Movement to a more stable product would not include simply an extension of the mortgage term, e.g. a 30-year FRM to a 40-year FRM, but this type of transaction is permissible if, and only if, the borrower realizes a reduction in the mortgage payment.
