Wk 3 DQ 1

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Apr 3, 2024

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An effective annual interest rate (EAR) also known as the effective interest rate, the effective rate, or the annual equivalent rate (AER) is the actual return on savings account or any interest-paying investment when the effects of compounding over time are considered (Fernando, J., 2023). Additionally, it reflects the actual percentage rate owed in interest on a loan, a credit card, or any other debt. However, the EAR is important as borrowers could miscalculate the actual cost of a loan while investors could not anticipate the gain on said investment (Fernando, J., 2023). Though, savings accounts, CDs, or loans could be advertised with both a normal interest rate and EAR. Normal interest rate is the stated interest rate that does not take into consideration any effects of compounding interest or inflation (Fernando, J., 2023). However, following a recession normal interest rates could be kept at a deceiving at all time low inspiring consumers to get loans or spend money while fostering economic wealth. Whereas compound interest is interest you earn on interest. Furthermore, with the number of years or periods that one has in compounding interest makes a huge difference in determining compound interest thus increasing the EAR when the years or periods increase.             It is vital in knowing the differences between EAR and annual percentage rate (APR) when seeking to obtain a loan to assist with growth of a business. APR refers to the yearly interest generated by a sum that is charged to borrowers or paid to investors (Fernando, J., 2019). However, APR is highly important for loans as it does not vary like revolving credit card balances (Team, S., 2020). While APR does not account for compound interest EAR however assesses compound interest to provide a more accurate cost over time. On the other hand, EAR is referred to by the number of compounding periods per year which is has a larger amount of EAR versus compound interest. Example APR: (Team, S., 2020). Borrowers amount is $10,000 at 10% APR for one year. Annual cost of loan is $10,000 principal loan which would generate $1,000 on interest payments for total repayment of $11,000. With the utilization of APR to assist in calculating the monthly payment. The repayment of a 12-month loan would equal to a payment of $916 per month. Example EAR: (Team, S., 2020) Borrowers amount is $10,000 at 12% APR for one year which compounds once per month. The first month’s interest on the loan would be charged at 1% of the principal amount thus, increasing the balance to $10,100. If in subsequent month’s the interest charged is 1% of not the principal but the principal plus the first month’s interest added the total interest added would be $101.
However, with interest continuing to compound over the life span of the loan, thus building on top of the accrued balance this would make the EAR be about 12.7% rather than the advertised APR of 12%. APY on the other hand is a more accurate measurement of expense of borrowing over time. Though, one can project the cost of a loan over the total period by knowing the EAR. By knowing the EAR of said loan on can help one make a better-informed decision regarding the accurate long-term cost. We can clearly observe from the examples mentioned above that APR and EAR are represented similarly in the sense that 12% APR is equal to 12.7% EAR. In conclusion, banks often tend to advertise APR while presenting a loan and EAR or APR while presenting savings accounts (Team, S., 2020).  References Fernando, J. (2023, April 6).  What the Effective Annual Interest Rate Tells Us. Investopedia. https://www.investopedia.com/terms/e/ effectiveinterest.asp#:~:text=What%20Is%20an%20Effective %20Annual Fernando, J. (2019).  What the Annual Percentage Rate – APR Tells You. Investopedia. https://www.investopedia.com/terms/a/apr.asp Team, S. (2020, September 17).  Ear vs. APR: What are the Differences Between EAR and APR? Resources.smartbizloans.com.  https://resources.smartbizloans.com/blog/small-business-loans/ear- vs-apr-what-are-the-differences-between-ear-and-apr
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