A bank lends money to its customers on mortgage repayable by equal fortnightly instal-
ments using a quoted interest rate of 5.5% per annum. The outstanding balance is initially
the amount of the loan and the balance is reduced by any instalments received.
At the end of each month simple interest is charged based on the average daily balance for
the month and the number of days in the month. The bank rounds all interest charges up
to the next fifty cents. For example if the balance at the beginning of March is $100,000
and an instalment of $1,200 is received on March 14th, then simple interest (assuming 365
days in a year) will be charged for 14 days on $100,000 and for 17 days on $(100,000 –
1,200) and then rounded to the next 50 cents.
Estimate the fortnightly repayment required to extinguish this loan out on the first
repayment date on or after 14 June 2027. This estimate will require adjustments to
allow for months of different length, the fifty cent interest rounding adjustment, and
leap years. Explain and justify the adjustments you make.