When you apply for a loan or a credit card, the cost of borrowing over time is expressed as the annual percentage rate or APR.
APR is a key factor to consider when choosing a lender. Understanding what goes into an APR can also help you choose a lender that meets your financial needs.
Here are 6 things to know about APR.
1. APR and interest rate are not always the same
APR can include both the interest rate and other costs of borrowing. For some loans and mortgages, for example, the APR will include certain costs associated with a loan, such as points or origination fees.
Credit card APRs, on the other hand, do not factor in annual or other fees. APRs are simply the interest rates applied to different balances on the card, such as purchases, cash advances and balance transfers.
2. Your annual percentage rate may increase with a late payment
Credit card issuers are required to comply with federal law that offers protections to consumers. For example, credit card issuers are not allowed to increase your rate during the first year after the account is opened, but there are some exceptions. If you're over 60 days late on making a minimum payment, your issuer may have the right to raise your rate, even if you took advantage of a low intro APR.
3. You can try to (temporarily) avoid a high APR with a balance transfer
If you're carrying a credit card balance with a high APR, it may make sense to take advantage of a low intro APR offer on balance transfers with another credit card. Use the introductory rate period – often anywhere from 12 to 21 months – to try to pay off your debt. Remember, when deciding whether to use a balance transfer, weigh the costs, such as any balance transfer fees.
4. You can have different APRs for different types of balances on your credit card
You typically have a different APR for a purchase balance versus other types of balances, like cash advances and balance transfers. This affects the interest rates that are applied to different transactions made with your credit card.
For instance, if you have a low intro rate on purchases but you take out a cash advance, the amount you’ve withdrawn is subject to the cash advance APR instead of the low intro APR.
5. Avoid carrying a balance on your credit card
Many credit card issuers give cardholders a grace period during which interest is not charged on purchases if the statement balance is paid in full by the due date each month.
If you'd rather avoid interest charges on purchases, then consider consistently paying the statement balance in full. However, it’s important to note that APR is typically applied immediately to other transactions, such as cash advances or balance transfers.
6. How APR is different from APY
While annual percentage yield (APY) and APR both refer to interest-based calculations, they differ in the products they’re typically applied to, as well as who receives the interest and what calculations they include.
APY
An APY estimates how much an interest-bearing account will earn over the course of a year. It accounts for the effect of compound interest and can be applied through either fixed or variable APY.
APY is the interest you earn on the money you put into an account. It’s usually applied to deposit or savings products, such as:
- Certificates of deposit
- Savings accounts
- High-yield savings accounts
APR
On the other hand, APR is typically applied to lending products and can either refer solely to a product’s interest rate (as is the case with credit cards) or to the interest rate plus additional fees (as is the case with mortgages). APRs can also be compounded and either fixed or variable.
APR is the interest you are charged for borrowing money. It is often used with the following lending products:
- Personal loans
- Credit cards
- Mortgages
Disclosure: This article is for educational purposes. It is not intended to provide legal, investment, or financial advice and is not a substitute for professional advice. It does not indicate the availability of any Citi product or service. For advice about your specific circumstances, you should consult a qualified professional.
