Cost Of Funds

The interest rate paid on an outstanding loan.

Investopedia Says:
Money isn't free! Cost of funds is the cost of borrowing money.

Interest cost paid by a financial institution for the use of money. Brokerage firms' cost of funds are comprised of the total interest expense to carry an inventory of stocks and bonds. In the banking and savings and loan industry, the cost of funds is the amount of interest the bank must pay on money market accounts, passbooks, CDs, and other liabilities. Many adjustable rate mortgage loans are tied to a cost-of-funds index, which rises and falls in line with the banks' interest expenses.