Loan Amortization Schedule

Loan amortization schedule refers to the schedule of repayment of the loan in terms of periodic payments or installments that comprise of principal amount and interest component until the end of the loan term or up to which full amount of loan is paid off.

A loan amortization schedule is a complete summary of what one is supposed to pay to the lending party, including the principal amount and interest over time, as well as letting know users of the outstanding amount at the same time.

A loan amortization schedule provides a list of payments to be made towards a mortgage or loan from time to time. It is a clear picture of how much a borrower has to pay at the end of every interval along with what is still left to be paid after the current repayment is made. There are interest-only loan amortization schedules as well that emphasize on the interest only mortgage repayments over time. These schedules help borrowers plan their installment payments properly, thereby helping them to not default on any scheduled repayments.

Let us take an auto loan or home loan two of its examples. In case of an auto loan, or a home loan, the lender pays off the amount in several installments, which are divided into small amounts to be paid over a specific, much longer period of time by creating a loan amortization schedule.

• Initially, the first few installments that are paid out will go as the interest to be paid. Later, eventually, the installment amount paid will start to compensate for the principal loan amount.
• In this way, within the period of payback, both the interest and the principal amounts to be paid against the loan borrowed by the lender are covered.
• This is the basic idea, and this also applies in the case of a business organization opting for debts to carry out certain of its operation, and this can help the firm run a smooth business with less risk and financial crisis.

Per the formula, the loan amortization figures are calculated and based on the same the schedule is prepared. Let us have a quick look at the steps to calculate the amortization:

• Multiply the principal balance with the interest rate applicable.
• Calculate the monthly interest amount by dividing the resultant by 12.
• Find the difference between the interest fee from the total monthly payment.
• This difference becomes the amount one pays towards the principal for that month.

The calculation is repeated for every month until the repayment is completely done. These are the steps on which the loan amortization schedule calculator works. Based on this calculation and figures obtained for each month, the loan amortization schedule is created, normally in Excel.

Let us take a home loan example for preparing a schedule of Loan Amortization in Excel. Let us assume that a home loan is issued at the beginning of month 1.  The principal is $1,500,000, the interest rate is 1% per month, and the term is 60 months.

Repayments are to be made at the end of each month. The loan must be fully repaid by the end of the term.

Let us consider the following instance to understand how the loan amortization schedule is created and followed:

Suppose Mary decides to buy a house worth $500,000 for which she pays 25% of it as the downpayment. The remaining amount after paying the downpayment portion is $375,000. She obtains a mortgage loan for this remaining amount at a rate of interest of 3%. Using the calculator, the monthly payment including both principal and interest comes to $2,590.

An amortization schedule is to be prepared for the same. However, before that the calculation is to be made for the same too. Let us see how the calculation is undertaken:

Step 1

The principal balance is multiplied by the interest applicable.

= $375,000*3%

= $11,250

The current interest rate for a year = $11,250

Step 2

The annual interest amount is divided by 12.

= 11,250/12

= $937.50

This amount becomes the monthly interest fee to be paid by Mary.

Step 3

Subtract the monthly interest fee from the total monthly payment.

= 2,590 – 937.50

= $1,652.50

This $2590 is split into $1,652 (principal) and $937.50 (interest amount) for the first month.

Based on this calculation and information available, the excel loan amortization schedule template is prepared.

The practice of amortization has a lot of advantages and can benefit a business organization in many ways.

Let us have a look at some of them below:

• The method of splitting up a mortgage or debt possessed by the firm can help the firm to repay it having a less stressful time.
• The loan amortization schedule also helps the borrower to have a good repayment model helping him to pay back the loan without affecting other operations of the firm.

As the repayment is made in terms, there is no need to spend a lot of capital at once

An amortized loan is always good and can give the borrower or the firm all the benefit

However, it does have flaws, which are mentioned below:

•  When it is not a fully amortized loan, it can be a burden for the borrower at times.
• The borrower, in turn, should follow the perfect discipline in paying off the interest due within the specified time.
• They may have to face the problem of negative amortization, making him pay more than what he actually had to.

This has been a guide to what is a Loan Amortization Schedule. Here, we explain the concept along with how to calculate it, how to create it, and example. To learn more, you may refer to the following recommended articles -

• Total Loan Cost Calculator
• Amortization Schedule for Mortgage
• Amortization Table
• Recourse Loan