Chart of the day: low ARM rates

This chart from the New York Times demonstrates visually what happens when the Fed lowers interest rates too much: it skews simple economic decisions like what type of mortgage product to use, often with unintended consequences.

Similarly low rates on adjustable rate mortgages enticed buyers into the housing bubble.

This post is part of my chart of the day series.

finance chartsHousinginterest ratesmoneymortgages