What type of cap limits the change in payment amounts during a specific adjustment period on an ARM?

A payment cap is designed to limit the change in payment amounts during a specific adjustment period on an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM). This type of cap is particularly important for borrowers because it establishes the maximum increase or decrease in their monthly payment when the interest rate adjusts.

For instance, if an ARM includes a payment cap of 5% per adjustment period, even if the interest rate increases more than enough to justify a higher payment, the borrower will not see their payment increase by more than 5% at that adjustment. This provides a layer of financial protection, allowing borrowers to manage their monthly budget and avoid excessive increases in their payment that could lead to financial strain.

In contrast, periodic rate caps limit how much the interest rate itself can increase during a specific period but do not directly control how much the payments can change. A lifetime rate cap sets a maximum interest rate for the life of the loan, and an initial rate cap only affects the first adjustment after the introductory period. While all these caps play a role in the overall management of ARMs, the payment cap specifically regulates the borrower’s payment changes during each adjustment period.