In the problem below I don't understand why the bank would be involved in the first place.

The local electronics store is offering a promotion "1 year: same as cash" meaning that you can buy a TV now, and wait a year to pay (with no interest). So if you take home a $1000 TV now, you will owe them $1000 in one year today. If your bank is offering 4% interest, what is the true cost of the TV to you today?