A finance charge is any charge levied for the use of credit. For example, credit cards carry a finance charge, calculated as a percentage of the amount borrowed. A finance charge is levied periodically, often once a month. The finance charge is prorated, based on the annual percentage rate of the account. Automobile loans, home mortgages, business loans, and other uses of credit are subject to finance charges. With some accounts, an additional finance charge will be applied when payment is late. A lender is legally allowed to change the finance charge for any of several reasons, e.g., the borrower being a high risk. Under the federal Truth-in-Lending Act, the terms of finance charges must be spelled out in writing. |
