Fixed-rate borrowers benefit as interest rate differential widens with loan term.
A fixed-rate mortgage borrower can pay off their loan early if interest rates drop enough. This study shows that the option to prepay is more valuable for fixed-rate borrowers compared to floating-rate borrowers. The difference in interest rates between fixed and floating loans increases when the loan term is longer, initial interest rates are lower, prepayment penalties are lower, or interest rates rise unpredictably.