Several factors can cause an increase in interest expense: 1. Higher interest rates: When interest rates rise, the cost of borrowing increases, resulting in higher interest expenses. 2. Larger loan principal: A larger loan principal amount means more money is borrowed, leading to higher interest charges. 3. Longer loan term: Extending the repayment period of a loan increases the time for interest to accrue, resulting in higher overall interest expenses. 4. Interest rate adjustments: With adjustable-rate loans, changes in interest rates can lead to fluctuations in interest expenses. 5. Missed or late payments: Making late or missed payments can result in additional interest charges, increasing the overall interest expense. It's important to carefully manage these factors and explore strategies such as paying down debt, refinancing, or negotiating better loan terms to minimize interest expense.