What is the base interest rate for a loan referred to as?

The base interest rate for a loan is referred to as the "Par Rate." This term signifies the interest rate at which a loan can be offered without requiring a discount or premium. It represents an optimal interest rate that aligns with the current market conditions, allowing lenders to cover their costs and provide loans to borrowers without either charging extra fees or paying for points to make a loan more attractive.

Understanding this concept is essential for mortgage loan officers, as the Par Rate serves as a benchmark for determining how in-demand a loan product is in relation to current market rates. It forms the basis of comparison against which other interest rates, such as fixed rates or adjustable rates, can be evaluated.