Glossary

Capital and interest

Capital and interest are the two components of a loan repayment: the capital is the money you borrowed, and the interest is the charge for using it.

2 min read

CapitalThe money borrowed
InterestThe charge for borrowing

Definition

Every standard loan repayment splits into capital (also called principal) — the slice that reduces what you owe — and interest, the lender's charge. On a reducing-balance loan, early payments are weighted towards interest and later ones towards capital.

In plain terms

It is why paying a loan for a year can barely dent the balance early on: most of what you have paid was interest. As the balance falls, more of each payment chips away at the capital.

Why it matters for your company

Knowing the split matters for tax (interest is usually a deductible cost, capital repayment is not) and for planning early settlement. See is business loan interest tax deductible.

Funding for UK limited companies

Credicorp lends to your company, not to you personally — short-term working capital with no personal guarantee. See what your business could access.