MetroBank made loans to ten small companies, in amounts ranging from $1, 000 to $100, 000. These ten loans all had graduated payment plans, i. e. , the scheduled monthly loan payment increased slightly each month over the five-year term of the loan. Nonetheless, the average payment received by MetroBank for these ten loans had decreased by the end of the five-year term. Which one of the following, if true, most helps to resolve the apparent discrepancy in the statements above? ['Of the ten small companies, the three that had borrowed the largest amounts paid off their loans within three years.', 'For some loans made by MetroBank, the monthly payment decreases slightly over the term of the loan.', 'The number of small companies receiving new loans from MetroBank increased over the five-year term.', 'Most banks offer a greater number of loans for under $100, 000 than for over $100, 000.']