In a common interest rate example, a borrower will receive a floating rate payment in exchange for a fixed rate payment. The floating rate received from the swap offsets the floating rate paid on the loan thereby creating a simple, effective way to control exposure to rising rates.
Monthly settlement statements will show the floating rate received versus the fixed rate paid and net the difference. If the floating rate received is higher than the fixed rate paid, the borrower receives the difference and vice versa. If the maturity and dollar amount of the swap matches that of the loan, the borrower effectively converts their floating rate loan into a fixed rate, without changing the terms of the underlying loan.