HELOC is a lender’s promise to advance the borrower the maximum dollar amount at the time the loan was approved and closed. When the loan closes, the payment amount stated in the loan documents must reflect what the payment would be should the borrower choose to withdraw the entire loan amount immediately. Since a HELOC’s balance will vary based on what the borrower draws, the actual interest charged and the payment calculated will be determined by the dollar amount the borrower has withdrawn.
Here’s an example: If a HELOC funds on February 10, the first payment will be due on the first day of the second month following funding – April 1. Interest is never collected upfront on a HELOC loan, so as of April 1, 48 days of interest on whatever draws the borrower has taken (if any) will have accrued. If no withdrawals have been made, no interest is due. If the entire amount was withdrawn, the maximum amount of interest will be due, but this first payment will be higher because it’s based on 48 days worth of interest rather than the 30 days the payment in the loan documents is based upon.
Succeeding payments will be due on the first day of each month thereafter. Since the balance on a HELOC can change daily, payments will be recalculated monthly, based on each month’s outstanding balance and the current index that the payment is based on.
Remember, a HELOC’s interest rate is also based on compounded interest rather then simple interest like a standard 1st trust deed loan. Hence why the balance can change daily.