In: Finance
(Cost of short-term bank loan) On July 1, 2015, the
Southwest Forging Corporation arranged for a line of credit with
the First National Bank (FNB) of Dallas. The terms of the
agreement call for a $110 comma 000 maximum loan with interest set
at 2 percent over prime. In addition, the firm has to maintain a
20 percent compensating balance in its demand deposit account
throughout the year. The prime rate is currently 12 percent. Note:
Interest is not paid in advance (discounted).
a. If Southwest normally maintains a $22 comma 000 to $33 comma
000 balance in its checking account with FNB of Dallas, what is
the effective cost of credit under the line-of-credit agreement
when the maximum loan amount is used for a full year?
b. Compute the effective cost of credit if the firm borrows the
compensating balance and the maximum possible amount under the loan
agreement. Again, assume the full amount of the loan is
outstanding for a whole year.