Question:
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.
Discount Rate
Depending upon the context, the discount rate has two different definitions and usages. First, the discount rate refers to the interest rate charged to the commercial banks and other financial institutions for the loans they take from the Federal...