Assignment Question:

1.       Review the deposit accounts available from the Australian commercial bank your group has been allocated.  Identify and explain which account would be most appropriate in each of the following scenarios, and calculate what interest (if any, and provide evidence of the current interest rates) which would be payable assuming monthly compounding on:

a.       An account which would be appropriate for someone who intends to have their salary deposited, and be able to withdraw on a regular basis to have access to cash, and to pay their bills and other regular expenses. 

b.      An account which would be appropriate for someone who intends to save $2,000 a month without withdrawing any funds for the next 12 months.

c.       An account which would be appropriate for someone who has $20,000 (without the need to access the funds) to invest for a period of 6 months.

2.       Review the loan accounts available from the Australian commercial bank your group has been allocated.  Identify three types of loans which may be appropriate for someone who wishes to borrow $8,000 for a holiday.  You should provide include an explanation any preconditions (e.g. assets) required with any of the loan options.

Assume they wish to repay the loan with monthly repayments over the next 2 years.  Calculate the monthly repayments and the total interest that would be paid under each loan option.

3.       Deposit and loan accounts are products of commercial banks as they operate in their role as financial intermediaries.  What is an alternative to financial intermediaries for borrowers and lenders?  Compare and contrast the challenges and benefits.