Annual Percentage Rate - APR
- Annual Percentage Rate - APR
- The annual rate that is charged for borrowing (or made by investing), expressed as a single percentage number that represents the actual yearly cost of funds over the term of a loan. This includes any fees or additional costs associated with the transaction.
Loans or credit agreements can vary in terms of interest-rate structure, transaction fees, late penalties and other factors. A standardized computation such as the APR provides borrowers with a bottom-line number they can easily compare to rates charged by other potential lenders.
By law, credit card companies and loan issuers must show customers the APR to facilitate a clear understanding of the actual rates applicable to their agreements. Credit card companies are allowed advertise interest rates on a monthly basis (e.g. 2% per month), but are also required to clearly state the APR to customers before any agreement is signed. For example, a credit card company might charge 1% a month, but the APR is 1% x 12 months = 12%. This differs from annual percentage yield, which also takes compound interest into account.
Investment dictionary.
Academic.
2012.
Look at other dictionaries:
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annual percentage rate — A yearly interest rate that includes up front fees and costs paid to acquire the loan, calculated by taking the average compound interest rate over the term of the loan. Mortgage lenders are required to disclose the APR so that borrowers can more … Law dictionary
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annual percentage rate — APR The annual equivalent rate of return on a loan or investment in which the rate of interest and charges are specified in terms of an annual rate of interest. Most investment institutions are now required by law to specify the APR when the… … Accounting dictionary
annual percentage rate — APR The annual equivalent rate of return on a loan or investment in which the rate of interest specified is chargeable or payable more frequently than annually. Most investment institutions are now required by law to specify the APR when the… … Big dictionary of business and management
annual percentage rate — (Banking) percentage rate of yearly interest on credit and loans (according to the law the lender must indicate the rate), APR … English contemporary dictionary
annual percentage rate — The actual cost of borrowing money, expressed in form of annual interest rate to make it easy for one to compare cost of borrowing money among several lenders or sellers on credit. Full disclosure of interest rate and other charges is required by … Black's law dictionary
