13–19
13-9. Banks and other lending affiliates within the holding company of Best-of-Times
Financial are reporting heavy loan demand this week from companies in the southeastern United
States that are planning a significant expansion of inventories and facilities before the beginning
of the fall season. The holding company plans to raise $775 million in short-term funds this
week, of which about $700 million will be used to meet these new loan requests. Fed funds are
currently trading at 2.25 percent, negotiable CDs are trading in New York at 2.40 percent, and
Eurodollar borrowings are available in London at all maturities under one year at 2.30 percent.
One-month maturities of directly placed commercial paper carry market rates of 2.35 percent,
while the primary credit discount rate of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond is currently set
at 2.75 percent — a source that Best-of-Times has used in each of the past two weeks.
Noninterest costs are estimated at 0.25 percent for Fed funds, discount window borrowings, and
CDs; 0.35 percent for Eurodollar borrowings; and 0.50 percent for commercial paper. Calculate
the effective cost rate of each of these sources of funds for Best-of-Times and make a
management decision on what sources to use. Be prepared to defend your decision.
$775 × 0.0225 + $775 × 0.0025 × 100 = 2.768%
$700
Effective CD cost rate:
$775 × 0.024 + $775 × 0.0025 × 100 = 2.934%
$700
Effective Eurodollar cost rate:
$775 × 0.023 + $775 × 0.0035 × 100 = 2.934%
$700
Effective Commercial Paper cost rate:
$775 × 0.0235 + 775 × 0.005 × 100 = 3.155%
$700
Effective cost of borrowing from the Fed:
$775 × 0.0275 + 775 × 0.0025 × 100 = 3.321%
$700
The cheapest source of all would be borrowing from the Fed Funds Market. However, since the
inventory expansion for the companies is not a loan which is going to be repaid in a day or two,
the bank can also consider funding through CD or Eurodollar, both of which cost the same.
13-10.Surfs-Up Security Savings is considering the problem of trying to raise $80 million in
Federal funds, average for week just concluded
Discount window of the Federal Reserve bank
CDs (prime rated, secondary market):