3.3.1 FIXED-RATE, LUMP-SUM PRODUCT MORE POPULAR WITH
YOUNGER BORROWERS AND LOWER-HOME-VALUE BORROWERS
Younger borrowers are more likely to take out fixed-rate, lump-sum loans than older
borrowers. As shown in Figure 21, borrowers in their 60s are about 30 percentage
points more likely to take out fixed-rate loans than borrowers over age 85.
Data obtained by the CFPB from a reverse mortgage lender add additional context to this observation. Among this lender’s customers, younger borrowers are much more likely to use their reverse mortgage to pay off an existing lien at closing.
This suggests that one reason younger borrowers are choosing fixed-rate, lump-sum loans in higher proportions than older borrowers may be because they are using the loan to pay off an existing mortgage.