Understanding the 11th District Cost of Funds Index

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The 11th District Cost of Funds Index is a key component in determining the interest rates for certain types of loans, such as home equity lines of credit.

It's calculated by the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco, which represents the 11th Federal Home Loan Bank District.

The index is based on the costs of funds for the Bank, which includes the cost of deposits and advances from member banks.

These costs are then averaged to produce the Cost of Funds Index.

What Is COFI?

COFI is a significant metric that affects interest rates on mortgages, particularly in the western United States.

It's calculated monthly by the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco, providing insight into the cost of funds for savings institutions in the Western region.

COFI represents the average interest rates paid on checking and savings accounts by financial institutions in Arizona, California, and Nevada.

The 11th District COFI specifically focuses on the western United States, where interest rates can vary significantly from the rest of the country.

It's a crucial metric for lenders and borrowers alike, as it impacts the interest rates on mortgages in the region.

COFI Details

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The 11th District Cost of Funds Index is used by mortgage lenders to adjust the interest rate on adjustable-rate mortgages.

This index is a two-month lagging indicator of market interest rates, meaning it tends to lag behind market interest rate adjustments.

The index value for one month is usually not reported until the end of the next month, so for example, the 11th COFI for May will be reported on June's last business day.

Interest paid on savings accounts is the largest part of a COFI, and this index lags market interest rates.

As a result, ARMs tied to this index rise and fall slowly than rates in general, but they often have no month-to-month interest rate caps but have payment caps.

The index rate is relatively stable because institutions borrow money for varying terms and do not pay market rates for all of their funds.

Institutions most commonly borrow from depositors in the form of certificates of deposit, which have terms that vary from several days to several years.

The reported rate generally lags behind two months, with January's index reported in March, February's index reported in April, and so on.

History of the Index

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The 11th District Cost of Funds Index (COFI) has a rich history that dates back to April 21st, 1981, when the Federal Home Loan Bank Board allowed adjustable-rate home mortgage loans linked to an index.

This marked a significant change in the mortgage market, introducing a stable, published monthly benchmark rate that provided valuable information to the market.

The number of 11th District member savings institutions has undergone a substantial shift since then, with the Savings and Loan (S&L) crisis in the late 1980s being a pivotal moment in the index's history.

The crisis led to increased risk-taking by institutions, resulting in the closure of nearly 800 savings institutions and a sweeping regulatory re-organization.

The original 11th District COFI panel changed due to the crisis, which in turn altered the statistical characteristics of the index.

The cost of discontinuing the 11th District COFI was considered extremely minimal for the mortgage market.

The 11th District COFI has been a reliable benchmark rate for the mortgage market ever since its introduction, providing valuable information to evaluate the attractiveness of adjustable-rate home mortgage loans.

How It Works

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The 11th District Cost of Funds Index (COFI) is published on the final day of each month, reflecting the cost of funds for savings institutions within the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco.

This self-regulatory agency sets criteria for membership in the index, which is a crucial part of the COFI's calculation.

The computation of COFI involves multiple factors, with interest payments on savings accounts holding the greatest weight.

As a result, the index tends to change slowly in response to market interest rate shifts, making it a lagging indicator.

Why Cofi Matters for Mortgages

If you're in the market for a mortgage, especially an ARM, understanding COFI is crucial because ARM mortgages feature interest rates that adjust periodically, tied to an index like COFI.

Your mortgage rate won't precisely mirror COFI, as lenders usually set ARM rates to be higher than COFI by a certain margin, depending on factors like credit history, loan size and term, negotiation terms, and others.

COFI vs. Alternatives

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COFI reigns supreme in the western U.S., but other regions have their preferred indices. In the eastern U.S., the 1-year Treasury index holds more sway. The regional distinction underscores the importance of understanding which index impacts your mortgage if you're considering an ARM. This is crucial for homeowners in different parts of the country.

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Real-World Example

The 11th district cost of funds index has a real-world example that highlights its importance and challenges.

In 2020, the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco announced it would extend its deadline for discontinuing the cost of funds indices to early 2022.

The bank initially planned to stop publishing the indices in early 2020 due to a significant decline in the number of financial institutions reporting data.

The regulator requested the bank to extend the deadline to allow market participants to transition to a COFI replacement index.

The 11th district cost of funds index is calculated using data from only nine savings institutions in Nevada, Arizona, and California, down from over 200 institutions in 1981.

The UCLA Anderson Forecast conducted a study on the utility of existing reference rate indices in the absence of the 11th district cost of funds indices.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What replaced the 11th district cost of funds index?

The 11th District Cost of Funds Index was replaced by the Enterprise COFI Replacement, which combines the Freddie Mac Federal Cost of Funds Index with a spread adjustment. This new index ensures comparable rates to the 11th District COFI.

What is the cost of funds rate?

The cost of funds rate is the interest rate banks pay when borrowing from the Federal Reserve. It's a key factor in determining the profit margins of financial institutions.

Greg Brown

Senior Writer

Greg Brown is a seasoned writer with a keen interest in the world of finance. With a focus on investment strategies, Greg has established himself as a knowledgeable and insightful voice in the industry. Through his writing, Greg aims to provide readers with practical advice and expert analysis on various investment topics.

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