了解以下几个概念或许帮助你理解。
利率封顶(Interest Rate Cap)又称“利率上限”,通常与利率调期组合。客户同银行达成一项协议,指定某一种市场参考利率,同时确定一个利率上限水平。在此基础之上,利率封顶的卖出方向买入方承诺:在规定的期限内,如果市场参考利率高于协定的利率上限水平,卖方向买方支付市场利率高于利率上限的差额部分;如果市场参考利率低于或等于协定的利率上限水平,则卖方无任何支付义务,买方由于获得了上述权利,必须向卖方支付—定数额的期权费。
An interest rate cap is a limit on how high an interest rate can rise on variable-rate debt. Interest rate caps can be instituted across all types of variable rate products. However, interest rate caps are commonly used in variable-rate mortgages and specifically adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) loans.
利率封底(Interest Rate Floor)又称“利率下限”,与利率封顶相反,利本封底是客户与银行达成一项协议,指定某一种市场参考利率,同时确定一个利率下限水平。在此基础之上,利率封底的卖出方向买入方承诺:在规定的期限内,如果市场参考利率低于协定的利率下限水平,卖方向买方支付市场利率低于利率下限的差额部分,如果市场参考利率高于或等于协定的利率下限水平,则卖方无任何支付义务。买方由于获得了上述权利,必须向卖方支付一定数额的期权手续费。
An interest rate floor is an agreed-upon rate in the lower range of rates associated with a floating rate loan product. Interest rate floors are utilized in derivative contracts and loan agreements.
利率两头封(Interest Rate Collar)又称“利率上下限”,是将利率封顶和利率封底两种金融工具合成的产品。具体地说,购买一项利率两头封,就是在买进一项利率封顶的同时,卖出一项利率封底,以收入的期权费来部分抵消需要支出的期权费,达到所规避利率风险又降低费用成本的目的。卖出一项利率两头封,则是指在卖出一项利率封顶的同时,买入一项利率封底。当借款人预计市场利率会上张时,可以考虑购买—项利率两头封。
An interest rate collar is an option used to hedge exposure to interest rate moves. It protects a borrower against rising rates and establishes a floor on declining rates through the purchase of an interest rate cap and the simultaneous sale of an interest rate floor.