Uktous
Not sure if I understood your question clearly, but I will make an attempt none-the-less. I think you are trying to understand why prepayment is a risk, is that correct? You could clarify further if your ques is not answered or my answer does not make sense!
For simplicity - consider 3 parties involved:
M - the person taking out a mortgage
B - the bank
LI - an investment bank or insurer
M takes out a mortgage with B. B gives M a lumpsum in return for regular payments for 25 yrs. Let us say it is an interest only mortgage.
This mortgage is now an asset on the banks balance sheet.
The bank will re-package this asset as a bond and sell it to an insurer (say) LI.
M pays interest on the mortgage to B.
B pays this to LI.
LI pays this to a PH who has an annuity contract with LI.
These payments from B to LI match the payments from LI to PH by amount and timing. So, LI is happy!!
Now, if M prepays the mortgage and B prepays the bond, then LI will be left with a large sum of money and spoils the exact match it had with payments to PH (mismatch risk).
Also, if LI decides to buy a bond but interest rates are low, then the bonds will be expensive. So, there is a reinvestment risk as well to LI from prepayment of bond.
So, LI will not allow B to prepay and so B will not allow M to prepay.
Okay, I have written way toooo much and probably already covered most of what you already know (apologies for that!).
Hope this helps.
Last edited by a moderator: Jun 28, 2009