DEFERRED INTEREST

The amount of interest that is added to the principal balance of a loan when the contractual terms of that loan allow for a scheduled payment to be made that is less than the interest due. When a loan's principal balance increases because of deferred interest, it is known as negative amortization. Adjustable-rate mortgages with a deferrable interest feature are typically known as payment option ARMs. Fixed-rate mortgages with a deferrable interest feature are typically known as graduated-payment mortgages.