A company has issued floating-rate notes with a maturity of one year, an interest rate of LIBOR plus 125 basis points, and total face value of $50 million.

The company now believes that interest rates will

rise

and wishes to protect itself by entering into an interest rate swap. A dealer provides a quote on

a swap in which the company will pay a fixed rate 6.5 percent and receive LIBOR. Interest is paid quarterly, and the current LIBOR is 5 percent.

Show all your calculations and explain in details.

(a) Indicate how the company can use a swap to convert the debt to a fixed rate.

(b)Calculate the first payment made by the company. Assume that all payments will be made on the basis of 90/360.