How does a reducing-balance loan work?
Interest is charged only on the amount you still owe, so as you repay the principal the interest portion of each instalment falls. Most personal loans use this structure.
Ndzinga Knowledge Centre
How different loan structures actually work — and what they cost.
Educational content from a registered credit provider — NCR Reg: NCRCP22127 · FSP: 55648
Different loans are built in different ways, and the structure changes what you repay. This section breaks down how common loan types work — short-term micro loans, reducing-balance personal loans, and order-based business funding — so you can match the right product to your need. Each guide explains the pricing model, the typical term, and the trade-offs, in plain language. Final pricing always depends on the approved product, term and affordability outcome, and is disclosed before you sign.
Interest is charged only on the amount you still owe, so as you repay the principal the interest portion of each instalment falls. Most personal loans use this structure.
A micro loan is a small loan repaid over a short period, usually with flat pricing. It suits a small, immediate need rather than a large or long-term expense.
A longer term lowers the monthly instalment but increases the total interest you pay; a shorter term costs less overall but demands higher repayments. Choose the shortest term you can comfortably afford.