CASE 4 (25 points)

Harper Corporation needs 750,000 to take a cash discount of 5/15, net 40. A banker will loan the money for 25 days at an interest cost of 19,100. Assume a 360-day year for your calculations.

Instructions:

1. What is the effective rate on the bank loan? (5 points)

2. How much would it cost (in percentage terms) if Harper did not take the cash discount, but paid the bill in 40 days instead of 15 days? (5 points)

3. Should Harper borrow the money to take the discount? Explain. (5 points)

4. If another banker requires a 20 percent compensating balance, how much must Harper borrow to end up with 750,000? (5 points)

5. What would be the effective interest rate in part d if the interest charge for 25 days were 13,300? Since there are no funds to count against the compensating balance requirement, should Harper borrow with the 20 percent compensating balance? (5 points)