What does a pre-payment on a loan do?

When a borrower makes a pre-payment on a loan, it specifically reduces the principal amount owed on that loan before the scheduled due date. This means that the total balance that remains on the loan decreases, which can lead to lower interest charges in the future since interest is typically calculated based on the remaining principal. By reducing the principal, the borrower can potentially pay off the loan sooner or reduce the amount of interest paid over the life of the loan.

This understanding highlights the effective management of loan repayment, as borrowers can strategically use pre-payments to lessen their financial obligations. Other choices do not accurately reflect the function of a pre-payment; for instance, pre-payments do not inherently change the interest rate, nor do they increase the amount due or eliminate future payments entirely.