sub-primeadjective
also subprime ukusPROPERTY, FINANCEused to describe a mortgage that has a high risk of not being paid back:
subprime mortgages/loans/lending This credit crunch was sparked by fears that banks gave out too many subprime mortgages.
subprime borrower/lender Defaults have climbed sharply on mortgages to subprime borrowers with weak credit histories.