Como Bank is a US bank. The bankhas been lending abroad and borrowing in the USmarkets,thus the

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Como Bank is a US bank. The bankhas been lending abroad and borrowing in the USmarkets,thus the bank is exposed to foreign exchange risk. In a recent transaction, the bank borrowed US$20 million via a one-yearsecurity at 4 per cent per annum nominal and funded a loan in Eurosat 6.5 per cent. The spot rate at the time of this transaction was US$1.20= 1(USD/Euro = 1.20).

(a)Immediately after the transaction closing, the bank received information indicated that the Euro would depreciate to US$1.19/ 1 by year end (i.e. US$1.19 = 1). If the information is correct, what will be the realised spread on the loan? Assume adjustments in principal values are included in the spread.[3 marks]

(b)Suppose the bank had an opportunity to sell one-year forward Euros at US$1.21/1 (i.e. US$1.21= 1). What would have been the spread on the loan if the bank had hedged forward its foreign exchange risk exposure?[2 marks]

(c)What does interest rate parity concept imply about the spread from investing in international markets calculated in part b?[2.5 marks]

(d) Suppose the bank decided to hedge foreign exchange risk using on-balance sheet technique. Without performing any calculations, explain the steps that would be followed to implement this technique.Explain how this technique reduces foreign exchange risk exposure.[2.5 marks]