subprime meaning: definition, etymology and quotations

subprime

adj

UK /ˈsʌb.pɹʌɪm/ · US /ˈsʌb.pɹaɪm/

Etymology From sub- + prime.

Less than prime; inferior.

subprime beef

Banking, Business US Designating a loan (typically at a greater than usual rate of interest) offered to a borrower who is not qualified for other loans (for example, because of a poor credit history).

Central to the story was Steve Eisman, an eccentric and rebarbative hedge-funder who was one of the earliest to see through the subprime lies.2014 April 5, Alex Preston, “Flash Boys: Cracking the Money Code by Michael Lewis, review: Michael Lewis tells the compelling true story of one man’s mission to tame Wall Street [print version: Capital ventures]”, in The Daily Telegraph, London, archived from the original on 08 Apr 2014, page R26:

Banking, Business US, Dated Designating a type of commercial lending rate, less than the prime rate, offered to desirable borrowers.

subprime

noun

Etymology From sub- + prime.

A subprime loan.