A financial tool designed by Bret Whissel aids in determining the periodic payments required to repay a loan. This calculator breaks down each payment into the principal portion and the interest portion, presenting a detailed schedule of loan repayment over its term. For example, when given a loan amount, interest rate, and loan term, the calculator generates a table illustrating how much of each payment reduces the loan balance and how much covers the interest charges.
This type of amortization tool offers significant advantages for borrowers and lenders alike. It provides transparency into the repayment process, enabling informed financial planning and budgeting. Understanding the distribution between principal and interest over time can help borrowers make strategic decisions regarding prepayments or refinancing. Historically, access to such detailed amortization schedules was limited, but now digital calculators have democratized this financial information.