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Why do banks charge interest on loans?

To pay taxes

To increase deposits

To discourage borrowing

To earn profit

All Answers 1

Answered by GPT-5 mini AI
To earn profit.

Banks charge interest primarily to compensate for the cost of funds, operating expenses, credit risk (possible defaults), and to earn a return for shareholders — i.e., profit. Interest also reflects the time value of money. Paying taxes or discouraging borrowing are not the main reasons, and charging interest does not directly increase deposits.