First International Bank (FIB) is examining the profitability of its Premier Account, a combined savings and chequing account. Depositors receive a 6% annual interest rate on their average deposit. FIB earns an interest rate spread of 2.5% (the difference between the rate at which it lends money and the rate it pays depositors) by lending money for residential home loan purposes at 8.5%. Thus, FIB would gain $250 on the interest spread if a depositor has an average Premier Account balance of $10,000 in 2012 ($10,000 x 2.5% = $250). The Premier Account allows depositors unlimited use of services such as deposits, with drawals, chequing account, and foreign currency drafts. Depositors with Premier Account balances of $2,500 or more receive unlimited free use of services. Depositors with minimum balances of less than $2,500 pay a $35 monthly service fee for their Premier Account.

FIB recently conducted an activity-based costing study of its services. It assessed the following costs for six individual services. The use of these services in 2012 by three Premier Account customers is as follows:

Assume Robinson and Farrel always maintain a balance above $2,500 while Skerrett always has a balance below $2,500 in 2012.
REQUIRED
1. Compute the 2012 profitability of the Robinson, Skerrett, and Farrell Premier Accounts at FIB.
2. What evidence is there of cross-subsidization across Premier Accounts? Why might FIB worry about this cross-subsidization if the Premier Account product offering is profitable as a whole?
3. What changes at FIB would you recommend for its Premier Account?

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Account Usage ABC Cost per TransactionRobinson Skerrett Farrel 10 18 60 Deposits/withdrawals with teller Deposits/withdrawals at ATM Prearranged monthly deposit/withdrawal Cheques written Foreign currency drafts Account balance inquiries Average cash balance $ 4.00 1.20 0.80 11.25 12.50 2.50 45 12 24 15 10 12 20 S2,600 S1,200 $40,000