A financing structure calculates interest on the initial principal for the entire loan term. This total interest is then added to the original principal, and the borrower makes equal payments based on this combined amount. For example, a loan of $1,000 at 10% interest for 3 years would accrue $300 in interest. This interest is added to the principal, resulting in a total amount of $1,300 to be repaid in equal installments.
This method offers simplicity in calculation and transparency in the total cost of borrowing. Historically, it was a common approach in consumer lending, particularly for installment loans and purchase financing. While straightforward, it’s essential to understand that the effective interest rate can be significantly higher than the stated rate due to the unchanging principal base upon which interest is calculated throughout the loan’s life.