What is a balloon payment? When is one allowed? | Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (2024)

FAQs

What is a balloon payment? When is one allowed? | Consumer Financial Protection Bureau? ›

A balloon payment is a larger-than-usual one-time payment at the end of the loan term. If you have a mortgage with a balloon payment, your payments may be lower in the years before the balloon payment comes due, but you could owe a big amount at the end of the loan.

A balloon payment is the final amount due on a loan that is structured as a series of small monthly payments followed by a single much larger sum at the end of the loan period.

Answered 3 years ago. Answered 3 years ago. 1 of 3. A balloon payment is a mortgage that does not totally amortize over the term of the note, as a result, it leaves a balance due at maturity. The final payment that the borrower makes a single, much larger payment called a “balloon” or “bullet” payment.

A balloon payment on a car is the final lump sum that is due at the end of a PCP or lease agreement.

What Is a Balloon Payment? A balloon loan requires a large payment at the end of the term. In this kind of loan, earlier payments are typically lower, while later payments—usually just the final payment—are bigger. Balloon loans can be applied to mortgages, commercial loans, or any other amortized loan.

Lenders might not refinance your balloon loan.

With negative equity, banks are not likely to refinance the balloon loan unless the borrower can come up with the down payment. If the borrower cannot refinance the balloon loan or pay the full balloon payment, they risk defaulting on the loan.

A balloon payment is a one-off payment made at the end of a business vehicle or equipment loan term. It is typically larger than regular loan repayments. Once you have decided which business vehicle or equipment loan you would like to purchase and finance, you and your lender can agree on a balloon payment.

The purpose of a balloon is to make your monthly payments more affordable, taking pressure off your budget. The benefit is that you can drive away with a new car, have a smaller initial debt owed and have an extended period to pay off the car.

Why choose balloon payment? ›

Balloon loans can offer flexibility in the initial loan period by providing a low payment. Still, borrowers should have a plan to pay the remaining balance or refinance before the payment comes due. These loans do have their place—for those who only need to borrow for a short time, they can offer significant savings.

It's generally between 20-40% of your loan amount depending on what you agree with the lender.

The PCP balloon payment - typically referred to as the optional final payment - is a key part of every PCP finance agreement. It also has a major impact on the cost of your monthly payments. The higher the balloon payment is, the lower your monthly payments.

A balloon payment is a one-time, larger-than-usual payment made at the end of a loan term. Balloon loans are an alternative to traditional loans for things like homes, cars and businesses. Balloon loans typically have lower monthly payments than traditional loans. But they may come with higher interest rates.

Balloon payments have the ability to stifle the retirement plans of both pre-retirees and retirees alike. For pre-retirees, a large balloon payment may present financial challenges and leave them short on funds.

Balloon payment option

The maximum balloon facility is 35% and is subject to the year, make and model of the vehicle and the finance period. Terms and conditions will apply. At the end of the agreement period, you have the following options: You can apply to refinance the balloon payment amount for a further period.

The primary advantage of including a balloon payment in your car loan is that it makes the weekly, fortnightly, or monthly loan repayments lower. This gives you the benefit of: Making it easier to fit your loan within your monthly budget and household expenses.

Benefits of a balloon payment

For example, if you buy a car for R400,000 with a balloon payment of 20%, your monthly instalments will be paying off a capital balance of R320,000. The remaining R80,000 (the balloon payment) will be due at the end of your loan term – usually 72 months.

A balloon mortgage involves making small payments for a set period, followed by one large balloon payment at the end of the loan term. Balloon mortgages can be risky for borrowers, as they may struggle to make the large payment due at the end of the loan term.