Question

North Bank has been borrowing in the U.S. markets and lending abroad, thereby incurring foreign exchange risk. In a recent transaction, it issued a one-year $1.40 million CD at 5 percent and is planning to fund a loan in British pounds at 9 percent for a 4 percent expected spread. The spot rate of U.S. dollars for British pounds is $1.454/£1. a. However, new information now indicates that the British pound will appreciate such that the spot rate of U.S. dollars for British pounds is $1.43/£1 by year-end. Calculate the loan rate to maintain the 4 percent spread. b. The bank has an opportunity to hedge using one-year forward contracts at 1.46 U.S. dollars for British pounds. Calculate the net interest margin if the bank hedges its forward foreign exchange exposure. c. Calculate the loan rate to maintain the 4 percent spread if the bank intends to hedge its exposure using the forward rates.

Answer 1

Answer:

A) 10.82%

B) 5.27%

C) 8.56%

Explanation:

Given data :

North Bank Borrow ; $1.4 million at 5 percent

Lend in pounds at 9%

spread = ( 4% )

spot rate = 1.454

A)  Determine the loan rate to maintain the 4 percent spread

Expected spot rate = 1.43

First step :

Lending amount = $1.4 million / initial spot rate = 1.4 / 1.454 = £ 0.9628 million

next :

calculate the final amount  Required in $ to maintain 4% Spread

= principal ( $1.4 million ) + interest ( 9% of 1.4 ) = 1.4 + 0.126 = $1.526 million

In pound ( at the expected spot rate )

= 1.526 / 1.43 = £1.067 million

expected profit = £1.067 - £0.9628 = £ 0.1042 million

Therefore the interest rate tp maintain the 4 percent spread

= 0.1042 / 0.9628 = 10.82%

B) Determine the net interest margin if the bank hedges its forward foreign exchange exposure

Forward rate = 1.46

assuming interest as value calculated above = ( 10.82% )

lending amount = £0.9628 million

Repayment = 0.9628 * 111%  * 1.46 = $1.5603 million

therefore return rate = $1.5603 - $1.4  = $0.1603 million = 10.27%

hence : Net interest margin = 10.27% - 5% = 5.27%

C)  Determine the loan rate to maintain the 4 percent spread if the bank intends to hedge its exposure using the forward rates.

Forward Hedging contract forward rate =  1.46

lending amount = $1.4 / 1.454 =  £ 0.9628 million

Total Interest and Principal Repayment Required in $ to maintain 4% Spread = $1.526 million

In pound = 1.526 / 1.46 = £ 1.0452

Interest = £1.0452 -  £0.9628 =  £0.0824 million

therefore interest Rate to maintain 4℅ Spread

= ( 0.0824 / 0.9628 ) * 100  = 8.56%