@Tito44....
U're assuming straight line basis for charging interest which is rarely used by banks or Saccos.... In reality u pay interest on the OUTSTANDING balance.....
I like working with actual numbers so here goes...
Assuming that U and I earn about the same and can only afford to pay about the same in installments..
I borrow 200K from a bank for 2 years... monthly installments = 9,984.82.... total interest = 39,635.69
U borrow 300K from your Sacco for 3 years.... Monthly installments = 9,964.29.... When 200k PRINCIPAL is repaid (after 25 months),you tell them to write off the balance with your contributions.... Ur total interest paid will be 58,714.55 MINUS 6,301.15 = 52,413.40
Know this... Financial institutions collect the largest portion of total interest AT THE BEGINNING and more of the Principal AS THE END OF THE TERM OF THE LOAN nears...
I could send you a reducing balance loan schedule calculator,you do the math yourself....
To your second example:::::-
I agree that when you borrow 300K from the Sacco,you effectively have 400K (300K loan and 100K in savings)... HOWEVER,after two years,I will have completed paying my loan and the money that was going towards paying the bank accumulates as savings to 100K.. You on the other hand will still be paying your loan in the third year.... so at the end of the third year,you and I will effectively have 400K!!!
ACTUALLY... U'll have less since you'll have paid nearly 18K more in interest... Hope you're dividends will be able to cover that....
PS: This is the first time I'm doing this calculations and I'm shocked!!! I'm really beginning to wonder about this Sacco's phenomenon......