What is APR?

The terms interest rate and annual percentage rate (APR) are frequently used interchangeably, but it is important to understand the difference between the two.

For small business owners, it is also important to understand how the annual percentage rate is calculated depending on the type of financing offered.

Interest Rate vs. APR

The interest rate on a loan represents the current rate of borrowing. The APR, on the other hand, represents the total interest payable on the loan, on a yearly basis, averaged over the duration of the loan. This is inclusive of fees and service charges.

Depending on the type of financing sought, there can be significant variations in APR. APRs are typically higher than interest rates.

Term Loan APR

A term loan is one of the most common forms of financing. It has a set number of payments within a specified time period, at a fixed (unchanging) or variable (changing) APR.

Term loans are usually for terms of 1 to 10 years. The APR of a term loan is calculated using the loan amount, the interest rate for the loan, origination and application fees, service charges (if any), and the loan term.

Example:

Initial Loan Amount: $75,000

Loan Term: 24 months

Interest rate: 10% (fixed)

Origination fee: 3%

Monthly payment: $3,460.87

Total repayment: $83,060.87 (principal + interest)

Cost of loan: $10,310.87 [(83,060.87 – 75,000) + (0.03 x 75,000)]

APR: 13.06%

In general, a fixed rate loan will have a higher initial interest rate, compared to a variable APR loan. The variable loan has an APR based on the current market value; the borrower assumes the risk that the variable rate may increase during the term of the loan.

Merchant Cash Advances

Merchant Cash Advances (MCAs) have higher APRs than term loans.

Rather than base the APR on the borrower’s credit score and requiring payment in fixed installments, MCAs are an advancement on future credit and debit card sales.

The borrower pays a fixed percentage of daily credit and debit card sales to the lender for the initial advancement amount – plus additional interest and fees – until the loan has been repaid in full.

Example:

Advanced amount: $50,000

Payback amount: $55,000

% of future card sales: 15%

Projected monthly card sales: $45,000

Origination fee: 3%

Estimated daily payment: $225.00

Repaid in about: 244 days (8 months)

Total cost of Merchant Cash Advance: $6,500.00

Estimated APR: 38.24%

Merchant cash advances are usually for less than 24 month terms. They are used by many small businesses without the financial history or credit score needed to secure a loan with a lower rate.

With payments based on sales, business owners do not have to be as concerned about bringing in enough to make a payment, if they have a slow week or month.

What to Watch Out For

• All lenders are required by law to tell you the APR on your loan. Be sure to check that it is within the range you expected.
• Consider all loan options given your business’s creditworthiness, financial position and the APRs on offer. A little legwork can save you and your business a lot of money.
• Read the terms of your loan carefully, and make sure to confirm whether the rate is fixed or variable, what variable rates are dependent on, and when they take effect.

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