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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
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.
Education Savings Account (ESA)
A type of investment account designed to help families save for the future education expenses of a designated beneficiary.
Loan
A sum of money that is borrowed by an individual or entity from a lender, typically with the expectation that the loan will be repaid with interest.