Yes, credit cards charge interest if the total outstanding balance is not paid in full by the due date. While cards offer an interest-free period of 45 to 50 days on new purchases, any carried-forward balance attracts high interest rates, typically ranging from 30% to 48% per annum.
Key points regarding interest:
- Interest is calculated on the daily outstanding balance and is usually compounded monthly.
- Paying only the minimum amount due prevents late fees but does not stop interest from accruing on the remaining balance.
- Cash withdrawals often attract interest immediately from the transaction date.