Question:
The Hand-to-Mouth Company needs a $10,000 loan for the next 30 days. It is trying to decide which if three alternatives to use:
Alternative A: Forgo the discount on its trade credit agreement that offers terms of 2/10, net 30.
Alternative B: Borrow the money from Bank A, which has offered to lend the firm $10,000 for 30 days at an APR of 12%. The bank will require a (no-interest) compensating balance of 5% of the face value of the loan and will charge a $100 loan origination fee, which means Hand-to-Mouth must borrow even more than the $10,000.
Alternative C: Borrow the money from Bank B, which has offered to lend the firm $10,000 for 30 days at an APR of 15%. The loan has a 1% loan origination fee.
Which alternative is the cheapest source of financing for Hand-to-Mouth?