What term describes the portion of monthly payments held by the lender for taxes and insurance?

The term that identifies the portion of monthly payments retained by the lender for taxes and insurance is "impounds" or "escrows." This system ensures that the borrower has a dedicated amount saved to cover these essential costs, which often occur annually or semi-annually. By collecting these funds as part of the monthly mortgage payment, the lender can manage these expenses on behalf of the borrower, ensuring that property taxes and insurance premiums are paid on time.

Using escrows helps protect both the lender and the borrower, as it reduces the risk of the borrower missing a payment on property taxes or insurance, which could lead to financial hardships or even foreclosure in extreme cases. Setting aside money monthly prevents sudden large expenses from overwhelming the borrower and allows lenders to ensure that the home is adequately protected against risks associated with uninsured property or unpaid taxes.

In contrast, the other terms are often used in different financial contexts and do not specifically relate to the practice of holding funds for taxes and insurance. Thus, the terminology of impounds or escrows is the most appropriate in this scenario.