What is PMI?
When lenders approve you for a loan, they take a risk. They risk you not paying the mortgage back, which means the bank takes a loss. While foreclosure sales earn banks some money back, they still suffer financially for each foreclosure.
PMI or Private Mortgage Insurance helps banks offset the risk. Private insurance companies issue the insurance that protects lenders should you default. Conventional loan borrowers who put less than 20 percent down on a home pay PMI.