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Compound Interest
Interest calculated on the sum of a principal and accumulated interest from previous periods.
More Details
Compound interest is a type of interest that is calculated on both the initial principal and the accumulated interest of previous periods. This means that the interest someone earns in a given period is added to their principal, so that the balance of their account grows. This process continues over time, so that the amount of interest you earn compounds, or grows, over time.
Example
If you deposit $100 into a savings account that earns an annual interest rate of 5%, at the end of the first year, you will have earned $5 in interest, for a total balance of $105.
In the second year, the interest will be calculated on the new balance of $105, rather than the original $100. This means that you will earn $5.25 in interest in the second year (5% of $105), for a total balance of $110.25.
Related Terms
Mortgage
A loan used to finance the purchase of a home, with the property serving as collateral for the loan.
Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM)
A home loan with an interest rate that is fixed for a certain period, after which it may fluctuate with the market.
Refinance
The process of paying off an existing loan with a new loan, typically in order to obtain a lower interest rate or to change the terms of the loan.

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