What is a common characteristic of subprime loans?

Subprime loans are specifically designed to cater to borrowers with poor credit histories. These loans are targeted towards individuals who may not qualify for conventional financing due to various credit issues, such as a history of late payments, bankruptcies, or other financial difficulties. As a result, subprime loans play an essential role in providing access to credit for those who might otherwise be excluded from the traditional mortgage market.

The other options do not accurately reflect the characteristics of subprime loans. For instance, subprime loans typically come with higher interest rates to compensate for the increased risk associated with lending to borrowers who are not deemed prime. Furthermore, they are secured loans that usually require collateral, namely the property being financed. Lastly, while some loan programs may be government-backed, such as FHA loans, subprime loans are generally not associated with government guarantees.