Amortization Schedule: What Does It Mean?

An amortization schedule is a complete table of periodic loan payments that shows how much of each payment goes toward the principal balance and how much goes toward interest over the life of a loan. In the early years of a mortgage, the vast majority of each payment goes to interest; as time passes, more goes to principal. This front-loading of interest is why making extra principal payments early in a mortgage can save tens of thousands of dollars over time. Most mortgage servicers provide an amortization schedule at closing or online.