What is the initial focus of an amortized loan payment?

The initial focus of an amortized loan payment is primarily on paying interest on the loan. In an amortized loan, monthly payments are structured so that a portion goes toward interest and a portion goes toward reducing the principal balance. At the beginning of the amortization schedule, a larger fraction of each payment is applied to interest due to the principal balance being at its highest. This means borrowers initially pay more interest than principal. Over time, as the principal balance decreases, the portion of each payment that goes toward interest also decreases, while the amount applied to the principal increases. Therefore, understanding this structure is essential for grasping how amortized loans operate and how payments are allocated throughout the life of the loan.