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Retained vs Rolled Interest Calculator

Compare retained (deducted upfront) vs rolled (compounded) interest options for bridging loans. See how each affects your Day 1 cash and exit costs.

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Understanding Interest Types

Retained: Interest is deducted from your loan on Day 1. You receive less upfront but pay back less at exit.

Rolled: Interest compounds monthly and is added to redemption. You receive more Day 1 but pay more at exit.

Side-by-side comparison
Retained vs Rolled interest
Retained
Rolled
Gross loan£200,000£200,000
Net Day 1 Advance£175,600£196,000
Total interest£20,400£21,381
Gross Redemption£202,000£223,381
Total Cost of Finance£28,900£29,881

Extra Day 1 with Rolled

+£20,400

Higher Exit with Rolled

+£21,381

Retained saves £981

Retained interest is cheaper overall, but you receive £20,400 less on Day 1. Choose retained if you have sufficient equity for your project.

Loan details
Common to both options
LTV

66.7%

Loan to value

Monthly rate

0.85%

Interest per month

Arrangement fee

£4,000

Deducted Day 1

Exit fee

£2,000

Paid on redemption

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About the Retained vs Rolled Interest Calculator

What it does and how it helps you

The Retained vs Rolled Interest Calculator helps UK property investors compare bridging loan interest options. See exactly how retained interest (deducted upfront) compares to rolled interest (compounded monthly) for your Day 1 cash and exit costs.

Side-by-side retained vs rolled comparison
Day 1 advance difference calculation
Redemption cost comparison
Total cost of finance analysis

How It Works

Understanding the calculation method

When taking a bridging loan, you have three interest payment options: Retained Interest: - Interest for the full term is calculated upfront - Deducted from your loan advance on Day 1 - You receive less cash initially but owe less at exit - No monthly payments during term - Lower total interest cost (simple interest, not compounded) Rolled Interest: - Interest compounds monthly during the term - Added to your loan balance each month - You receive maximum cash on Day 1 - No monthly payments during term - Higher total cost due to compounding effect Serviced Interest: - Interest paid monthly during the term - You receive maximum cash on Day 1 - Monthly payment obligation - Total interest cost between retained and rolled The calculator compares retained vs rolled options, showing the difference in Day 1 advance, redemption amount, and total cost. Most investors choose retained if they have sufficient equity, as it saves 10-15% on total interest cost.

When to use this calculator

Use this calculator when comparing bridging loan quotes or deciding which interest structure works best for your project. Essential when you need to maximize Day 1 cash (choose rolled) or minimize total finance cost (choose retained). Particularly useful when you're tight on equity and need to see if retained interest leaves you enough to complete your project.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this calculator

Choose retained interest when you have sufficient equity to cover the reduced Day 1 advance and want to minimize total cost. Retained saves 10-15% on interest costs compared to rolled. Best for projects where you're not stretched on cash and want to maximize profit margin.
Choose rolled interest when you need maximum cash on Day 1 to complete your purchase and start works. This is common for tight deals where every pound counts upfront. You'll pay more overall, but if it means the difference between completing or not, the extra cost is worthwhile.
Rolled interest typically costs 10-20% more than retained due to monthly compounding. For example: £200k loan at 0.85% pm for 12 months = £20,400 retained vs £21,350 rolled (£950 extra). The difference grows with higher rates and longer terms.
Yes, most lenders allow early redemption with rolled interest. You only pay interest on the months actually used. However, some lenders charge minimum interest periods (typically 3 months) or exit fees. Always check redemption terms before committing.
Calculate your Day 1 cash requirement including all costs (purchase, refurb, fees). If retained interest leaves you enough to complete comfortably, choose it to save money. If you'd be cutting it too close, choose rolled for the extra cash cushion. Safety margin is more important than saving on interest.

Related Property Terms

Retained interest bridgingRolled interest UKBridging interest optionsCompounded interestDay one advanceGross redemptionBridging finance costsInterest structureServiced vs rolledBridge loan comparison