subprime

American  

[suhb-prahym] / sʌbˈpraɪm /

adjective

1. being of less than top quality.

   a subprime grade of steel.

2. being below a prime rate.

   banks engaging in subprime lending.

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subprime British  

/ ˈsʌbˌpraɪm /

adjective

1. (of a loan) made to a borrower with a poor credit rating, usually at a high rate of interest

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noun

1. a loan made to a borrower with a poor credit rating

Etymology

Origin of subprime

sub- + prime

Example Sentences

Wall Street’s presence in the housing market expanded after the subprime mortgage crisis exploded in 2007.

From The Wall Street Journal

And a 10% cap would affect card issuers differently, depending on their exposure to subprime consumers.

From Barron's

And a 10% cap would affect card issuers differently, depending on their exposure to subprime consumers.

From Barron's

Academic analysis External link found loan volume to subprime borrowers in Illinois declined by roughly 38-44% after the cap took effect.

From Barron's

Credit would only grow, despite regular blowups, from the Crash of 1929 to the Savings & Loan crisis of the 1980s and 1990s to the subprime mortgage collapse of 2007.

From Barron's