sub·prime /sʌbˈpraɪm/adjectiveadj [only before noun]
a subprimeloan is an amount of money that is lent to someone who may not be able to pay it back, usually at a higher than normalrate of interest 〔贷款〕次级的
Subprime mortgages (=loans to buy a home) are granted to individuals who would not qualify for a conventional mortgage.