In order to finance a shipment of badminton sets, Rujisawa Import-Export is seeking a $700,000 one-year bank loan. The Marine Bank requires that Rujisawa maintain a 25% compensating balance and requires four quarterly payments. The Lincoln Bank requires only a 15% compensating balance, but requires 12 monthly payments. In addition, Lincoln discounts the loan. Both banks state that their interest rate is 8%.
a) Which bank has the lowest effective interest rate? Please explain
b) If Lincoln Bank eliminated its compensating-balance requirement, would your answer change? Please explain.