11

INTEREST RATE RISK

MANAGEMENT
LEARNING OUTCOMES
After going through the chapter student shall be able to understand:
 Interest Rate Risk
 Hedging Interest Rate Risk
(a) Traditional Methods
(b) Modern Methods including Interest Rate Derivatives

1. INTRODUCTION
Companies with low profit margins and high capital expenses may be extremely sensitive to
interest rate increases. Interest rate derivatives are valuable tools in managing risks. Derivatives
are powerful tools that mitigate risk and build value. They help companies to develop a risk
mitigation strategy.
Interest rate is the cost of borrowing money and the compensation for the service and risk of
lending money. Interest rates are always changing, and different types of loans offer various
interest rates. The lender of money takes a risk because the borrower may not pay back the loan.
Thus, interest provides a certain compensation for bearing risk.
Coupled with the risk of default is the risk of inflation. When you lend money now, the prices of
goods and services may go up by the time you are paid back, so your money's original purchasing
power would decrease. Thus, interest protects against future rises in inflation. A lender such as a
bank uses the interest to process account costs as well.

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1.1 How interest rates are determined

The factors affecting interest rates are largely macro-economic in nature:
(a) Supply and Demand: Demand/supply of money- When economic growth is high, demand for
money increases, pushing the interest rates up and vice versa.
(b) Inflation - The higher the inflation rate, the more interest rates are likely to rise.
(c) Government- Government is the biggest borrower. The level of borrowing also determines
the interest rates. Central bank i.e. RBI by either printing more notes or through its Open
Market Operations (OMO) changes the key rates (CRR, SLR and bank rates) depending on
the state of the economy or to combat inflation.
1.2 Interest Rate Risk
Interest risk is the change in prices of bonds that could occur because of change in interest rates.
It also considers change in impact on interest income due to changes in the rate of interest. In
other words, price as well as reinvestment risks require focus. Insofar as the terms for which
interest rates were fixed on deposits differed from those for which they fixed on assets, banks
incurred interest rate risk i.e., they stood to make gains or losses with every change in the level of
interest rates.
1.3 Types of Interest Rate Risk
Various types of Interest rate risk faced by companies/ banks are as follows:
1.3.1 Gap Exposure
A gap or mismatch risk arises from holding assets and liabilities and off-balance sheet items with
different principal amounts, maturity dates or re-pricing dates, thereby creating exposure to
unexpected changes in the level of market interest rates. This exposure is more important in
relation to banking business.
The positive Gap indicates that banks have more interest Rate Sensitive Assets (RSAs) than
interest Rate Sensitive Liabilities (RSLs). A positive or asset sensitive Gap means that an increase
in market interest rates could cause an increase in Net Interest Income (NII). Conversely, a
negative or liability sensitive Gap implies that the banks’ NII could decline as a result of decrease
in market interest rates.
A negative gap indicates that banks have more RSLs than RSAs. The Gap is used as a measure
of interest rate sensitivity.
Positive or Negative Gap is multiplied by the assumed interest rate changes to derive the Earnings
at Risk (EaR). The EaR method facilitates to estimate how much the earnings might be impacted
by an adverse movement in interest rates. The changes in interest rate could be estimated on the
basis of past trends, forecasting of interest rates, etc. The banks should fix EaR which could be

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 INTEREST RATE RISK MANAGEMENT 711.3

based on last/current year’s income and a trigger point at which the line management should adopt
on-or off-balance sheet hedging strategies may be clearly defined.
Gap calculations can be augmented by information on the average coupon on assets and liabilities
in each time band and the same could be used to calculate estimates of the level of NII from
positions maturing or due for repricing within a given time-band, which would then provide a scale
to assess the changes in income implied by the gap analysis.
The periodic gap analysis indicates the interest rate risk exposure of banks over distinct maturities
and suggests magnitude of portfolio changes necessary to alter the risk profile.
However, the Gap report quantifies only the time difference between re-pricing dates of assets and
liabilities but fails to measure the impact of basis and embedded option risks. The Gap report also
fails to measure the entire impact of a change in interest rate (Gap report assumes that all assets
and liabilities are matured or re-priced simultaneously) within a given time-band and effect of
changes in interest rates on the economic or market value of assets, liabilities and off-balance
sheet position. It also does not take into account any differences in the timing of payments that
might occur as a result of changes in interest rate environment. Further, the assumption of parallel
shift in yield curves seldom happen in the financial market. The Gap report also fails to capture
variability in non-interest revenue and expenses, a potentially important source of risk to current
income.
1.3.2 Basis Risk
Market interest rates of various instruments seldom change by the same degree during a given
period of time. The risk that the interest rate of different assets, liabilities and off-balance sheet
items may change in different magnitude is termed as basis risk. For example, while assets may
be benchmarked to Fixed Rate of Interest, liabilities may be benchmarked to floating rate of
interest. The degree of basis risk is fairly high in respect of banks that create composite assets out
of composite liabilities. The Loan book in India is funded out of a composite liability portfolio and is
exposed to a considerable degree of basis risk. The basis risk is quite visible in volatile interest
rate scenarios.
When the variation in market interest rate causes the NII to expand, the banks have experienced
favourable basis shifts and if the interest rate movement causes the NII to contract, the basis has
moved against the banks.
1.3.3 Embedded Option Risk
Significant changes in market interest rates create another source of risk to banks’ profitability by
encouraging prepayment of cash credit/demand loans/term loans and exercise of call/put options
on bonds/debentures and/or premature withdrawal of term deposits before their stated maturities.
The embedded option risk is becoming a reality in India and is experienced in volatile situations.
The faster and higher the magnitude of changes in interest rate, the greater will be the embedded
option risk to the banks’ NII. Thus, banks should evolve scientific techniques to estimate the

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probable embedded options and adjust the Gap statements (Liquidity and Interest Rate Sensitivity)
to realistically estimate the risk profiles in their balance sheet. Banks should also endeavour to
stipulate appropriate penalties based on opportunity costs to stem the exercise of options, which is
always to the disadvantage of banks.
1.3.4 Yield Curve Risk
The movements in yield curve are rather frequent when the economy moves through business
cycles. Thus, banks should evaluate the movement in yield curves and the impact of that on the
portfolio values and income.
1.3.5 Price Risk
Price risk occurs when assets are sold before their stated maturities. In the financial market, bond
prices and yields are inversely related. The price risk is closely associated with the trading book,
which is created for making profit out of short-term movements in interest rates.
Banks which have an active trading book should, therefore, formulate policies to limit the portfolio
size, holding period, duration, defeasance period, stop loss limits, marking to market, etc.
1.3.6 Reinvestment Risk
Uncertainty with regard to interest rate at which the future cash flows could be reinvested is called
reinvestment risk. Any mismatches in cash flows would expose the banks to variations in NII as
the market interest rates move in different directions.
1.3.7 Net Interest Position Risk
The size of non-paying liabilities is one of the significant factors contributing towards profitability of
banks. Where banks have more earning assets than paying liabilities, interest rate risk arises when
the market interest rates adjust downwards. Thus, banks with positive net interest positions will
experience a reduction in NII as the market interest rate declines and increases when interest rate
rises. Thus, large float is a natural hedge against the variations in interest rates.
1.4 Measuring Interest Rate Risk
Before interest rate risk could be managed, they should be identified and quantified. Unless the
quantum of IRR inherent in the balance sheet is identified, it is impossible to measure the degree
of risks to which banks are exposed. It is also equally impossible to develop effective risk
management strategies/hedging techniques without being able to understand the correct risk
position of banks.
The IRR measurement system should address all material sources of interest rate risk including
gap or mismatch, basis, embedded option, yield curve, price, reinvestment and net interest
position risks exposures. The IRR measurement system should also take into account the specific
characteristics of each individual interest rate sensitive position and should capture in detail the
full range of potential movements in interest rates.

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 INTEREST RATE RISK MANAGEMENT 711.5

There are different techniques for measurement of interest rate risk, ranging from the traditional
Maturity Gap Analysis (to measure the interest rate sensitivity of earnings), Duration (to measure
interest rate sensitivity of capital), Simulation and Value at Risk.
While these methods highlight different facets of interest rate risk, many banks use them in
combination, or use hybrid methods that combine features of all the techniques. Generally, the
approach towards measurement and hedging of IRR varies with the segmentation of the balance
sheet. In a well-functioning risk management system, banks broadly position their balance sheet
into Trading and Investment or Banking Books. While the assets in the trading book are held
primarily for generating profit on short-term differences in prices/yields, the banking book
comprises assets and liabilities, which are contracted basically on account of relationship or for
steady income and statutory obligations and are generally held till maturity. Thus, while the price
risk is the prime concern of banks in trading book, the earnings or economic value changes are the
main focus of banking book.

2. HEDGING INTEREST RATE RISK

Methods of Hedging of Interest Rate Risk can be broadly divided into following two categories:
(A) Traditional Methods: These methods can further be classified in following categories:
i. Asset and Liability Management (ALM)
ii. Forward Rate Agreement (FRA)
(B) Modern Methods: These methods can further be classified in following categories:
i. Interest Rate Futures (IRF)
ii. Interest Rate Options (IRO)
iii. Interest Rate Swaps
2.1 Traditional Methods
Now let us discuss some of the traditional methods of hedging interest rate risk.
2.1.1 Asset and Liability Management (ALM)
Asset-Liability Management (ALM) is one of the important tools of risk management in commercial
banks of India. Indian banking industry is exposed to a number of risks prevailing in the market
such as market risk, financial risk, interest rate risk etc. The net income of the banks is very
sensitive to these factors or risks. For this purpose, Reserve bank of India (RBI), regulator of
Indian banking industry evolved the tool known as ALM.
ALM is a comprehensive and dynamic framework for measuring, monitoring and managing the
market risk of a bank. It is the management of structure of balance sheet (liabilities and assets) in
such a way that the net earnings from interest are maximized within the overall risk preference
(present and future) of the institutions. The ALM functions extend to liquidly risk management,

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 11.6 STRATEGIC FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

management of market risk, trading risk management, funding and capital planning and profit
planning and growth projection.
The concept of ALM is of recent origin in India. It has been introduced in Indian Banking industry
w.e.f. 1st April, 1999. ALM is concerned with risk management and provides a comprehensive and
dynamic framework for measuring, monitoring and managing liquidity, interest rate, foreign
exchange and equity and commodity price risks of a bank that needs to be closely integrated with
the bank’s business strategy. Asset-liability management basically refers to the process by which
an institution manages its balance sheet in order to allow for alternative interest rate and liquidity
scenarios.
Banks and other financial institutions provide services which expose them to various kinds of risks
like credit risk, interest risk, and liquidity risk. Asset liability management is an approach that
provides institutions with protection that makes such risk acceptable. Asset-liability management
models enable institutions to measure and monitor risk, and provide suitable strategies for their
management.
It is therefore appropriate for institutions (banks, finance companies, leasing companies,
insurance companies, and others) to focus on asset-liability management when they face financial
risks of different types. Asset-liability management includes not only a formalization of this
understanding, but also a way to quantify and manage these risks. Further, even in the absence of
a formal asset-liability management program, the understanding of these concepts is of value to an
institution as it provides a truer picture of the risk/reward trade-off in which the institution is
engaged.
Asset-liability management is a first step in the long-term strategic planning process.
Therefore, it can be considered as a planning function for an intermediate term. In a sense, the
various aspects of balance sheet management deal with planning as well as direction and control
of the levels, changes and mixes of assets, liabilities, and capital.
A sound investment decision depends on the correct use and evaluation of the rate of return.
Some of the different concepts of return are given as below:
2.1.2 Forward Rate Agreements (FRAs)
A Forward Rate Agreement (FRA) is an agreement between two parties through which a borrower/
lender protects itself from the unfavourable changes to the interest rate. Unlike futures FRAs are
not traded on an exchange thus are called OTC product. Following are main features of FRA.
• Normally it is used by banks to fix interest costs on anticipated future deposits or interest
revenues on variable-rate loans indexed to LIBOR.
• It is an off Balance Sheet instrument.
• It does not involve any transfer of principal. The principal amount of the agreement is
termed "notional" because, while it determines the amount of the payment, actual exchange

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 INTEREST RATE RISK MANAGEMENT 711.7

of the principal never takes place.

• It is settled at maturity in cash representing the profit or loss. A bank that sells an FRA
agrees to pay the buyer the increased interest cost on some "notional" principal amount if
some specified maturity of LIBOR is above a stipulated "forward rate" on the contract
maturity or settlement date. Conversely, the buyer agrees to pay the seller any decrease in
interest cost if market interest rates fall below the forward rate.
• Final settlement of the amounts owed by the parties to an FRA is determined by the formula
(N)(RR - FR)(dtm/DY)
Payment = ×100
[1 + RR(dtm/DY)]
Where,
N = the notional principal amount of the agreement;
RR = Reference Rate for the maturity specified by the contract prevailing on the
contract settlement date; typically LIBOR or MIBOR
FR = Agreed-upon Forward Rate; and
dtm = maturity of the forward rate, specified in days (FRA Days)
DY = Day count basis applicable to money market transactions which could be 360or 365
days.
If LIBOR > FR the seller owes the payment to the buyer, and if LIBOR<FR the buyer owes
the seller the absolute value of the payment amount determined by the above formula.
• The differential amount is discounted at post change (actual) interest rate as it is settled in
the beginning of the period not at the end.
Example
Suppose two banks enter into an agreement specifying:
• a forward rate of 5 percent on a Eurodollar deposit with a three-month maturity;
• a $1 million notional principal; and settlement in one month.
Such an agreement is termed a 1x4 FRA because it fixes the interest rate for a deposit to be
placed after one month and maturing four months after the date the contract is negotiated.
If the three-month LIBOR is 6 percent on the contract settlement date, the seller would owe the
buyer the difference between 6 and 5 percent interest on $1 million for a period of 90 days.
Every 1 basis point change in the interest rate payable on a principal of $1 million for a 90-day
maturity changes interest cost by $25, so that the increase in the interest cost on a three-month
Eurodollar deposit over the specified forward rate in this case is $25 x 100 basis points = $2,500.

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The $2,500 difference in interest costs calculated above is discounted back three months using the
actual three-month LIBOR prevailing on the settlement date.
Thus, if 90-day LIBOR turns out to be 6 percent on the contract maturity date the buyer would
receive $2,463.05 = $2,500/[1 + 0.06(90/360)].
2.2 Modern Methods
Now let us discuss some of the modern methods of hedging interest rate risk.
2.2.1 Interest Rate Futures
As per Investopedia, an interest rate future is a futures contract with an underlying instrument that
pays interest. An interest rate future is a contract between the buyer and seller agreeing to the
future delivery of any interest-bearing asset. The interest rate future allows the buyer and seller to
lock in the price of the interest-bearing asset for a future date.
Interest rate futures are used to hedge against the risk that interest rates will move in an adverse
direction, causing a cost to the company.
For example, borrowers face the risk of interest rates rising. Futures use the inverse relationship
between interest rates and bond prices to hedge against the risk of rising interest rates.
A borrower will enter to sell a future today. Then if interest rates rise in the future, the value of the
future will fall (as it is linked to the underlying asset, bond prices), and hence a profit can be made
when closing out of the future (i.e. buying the future).
Currently, Interest Rate Futures segment of NSE offers two instruments i.e. Futures on 6 year, 10
year and 13 year Government of India Security and 91-day Government of India Treasury Bill
(91DTB).
Bonds form the underlying instruments, not the interest rate. Further, IRF, settlement is done at
two levels:
• Mark-to-Market settlement done on a daily basis and
• physical delivery which happens on any day in the expiry month.
Final settlement can happen only on the expiry date. Price of IRF determined by demand and
supply Interest rates are inversely related to prices of underlying bonds. In IRF following are two
important terms:
(a) Conversion factor: All the deliverable bonds have different maturities and coupon rates.
To make them comparable to each other, and also with the notional bond, RBI introduced
Conversion Factor. Conversion factor for each deliverable bond and for each expiry at the time of
introduction of the contract is being published by NSE.
(Conversion Factor) x (futures price) = actual delivery price for a given deliverable bond.

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(b) Cheapest to Deliver (CTD): The CTD is the bond that minimizes difference between the
quoted Spot Price of bond and the Futures Settlement Price (adjusted by the conversion factor). It
is called CTD bond because it is the least expensive bond in the basket of deliverable bonds.
CTD bond is determined by the difference between cost of acquiring the bonds for delivery and the
price received by delivering the acquired bond. This difference gives the profit / loss of the seller of
the futures.
Profit of seller of futures = (Futures Settlement Price x Conversion factor) – Quoted Spot Price of
Deliverable Bond
Loss of Seller of futures = Quoted Spot Price of deliverable bond – (Futures Settlement Price x
Conversion factor)
That bond is chosen as CTD bond which either maximizes the profit or minimizes the loss.
2.2.2 Interest Rate Options
Also known as Interest Rate Guarantee (IRG) as option is a right not an obligation and acts as
insurance by allowing businesses to protect themselves against adverse interest rate movements
while allowing them to benefit from favourable movements.
It should be noted that the IRO is basically a series of FRAs which are exercisable at
predetermined bench marked interest rates on each period say 3 months, 6 months etc. Some of
the important types of Interest Rate Options are as follows:
[Link] Cap Option
Also called Call Option, the buyer of an interest rate cap pays the seller a premium in return for the
right to receive the difference in the interest cost on some notional principal amount any time a
specified index of market interest rates rises above a stipulated "cap rate." The buyer bears no
obligation or liability if interest rates fall below the cap rate, however. Thus, a cap resembles an
option in that it represents a right rather than an obligation to the buyer.
Caps evolved from interest rate guarantees that fixed a maximum level of interest payable on
floating-rate loans. The advent of trading in over-the-counter interest rate caps dates back to 1985,
when banks began to strip such guarantees from floating-rate notes to sell to the market. The
leveraged buyout boom of the 1980s spurred the evolution of the market for interest rate caps.
Firms engaged in leveraged buyouts typically took on large quantities of short-term debt, which
made them vulnerable to financial distress in the event of a rise in interest rates. As a result,
lenders began requiring such borrowers to buy interest-rate caps to reduce the risk of financial
distress. More recently, trading activity in interest rate caps has declined as the number of new
leveraged buyouts has fallen. An interest rate cap is characterized by:
 a notional principal amount upon which interest payments are based;
 an interest rate benchmark say LIBOR, MIBOR, PLR etc. for typically some specified
maturity period;

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 a cap rate, which is equivalent to a strike or exercise price on an option; and

 the period of the agreement, including payment dates and interest rate reset dates.
Payment schedules for interest rate caps follow conventions in the interest rate swap market.
Payment amounts are determined by the value of the benchmark rate on a series of interest rate
reset dates. Intervals between interest rate reset dates and scheduled payment dates typically
coincide with the term of the benchmark interest rate.
If the specified market index is above the cap rate, the seller pays the buyer the difference in
interest cost on the next payment date. The amount of the payment is determined by the formula
(N) max (0, r - rc)(dt/No. of days a year),
where
N is the notional principal amount of the agreement,
r is the actual spot rate on the reset date
rc is the cap rate (expressed as a decimal), and
dt is the number of days from the interest rate reset date to the payment date.
Example
Consider a one-year interest rate cap that specifies a notional principal amount of $1 million and a
six-month LIBOR cap rate of 5 percent. Assume the agreement covers a period starting January
15 through the following January 15 with the interest rate to be reset on July 15. The first period of
a cap agreement typically is excluded from the agreement as it is known on the date of agreement.
Hence, the cap buyer will be entitled to a payment only if the six-month LIBOR exceeds 5 percent
on the July 15 interest rate reset date. Suppose that six-month LIBOR is 5.5 percent on July 15.
Then, on the following January 15 (184 days after the July 15 reset date) the seller will owe the
buyer.
$2,555.56 = ($1,000,000)(0.055 - 0.050)(184/360).
[Link] Floor Option:
It is an OTC instrument that protects the buyer of the floor from losses arising from a decrease in
interest rates. The seller of the floor compensates the buyer with a pay off when the interest rate
falls below the strike rate of the floor.
If the benchmark rate is below the floor rate on the interest rate reset date the buyer receives a
payment of, which is equivalent to the payoff from selling an FRA at a forward rate. On the other
hand, if the index rate is above the floor rate the buyer receives no payment and loses the
premium paid to the seller. Thus, a floor effectively gives the buyer the right, but not the obligation,
to sell an FRA, which makes it equivalent to a European put option on an FRA. More generally, a

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multi-period floor can be viewed as a bundle of European-style put options on a sequence of FRAs
maturing on a succession of future maturity dates.
The payment received by the buyer of an interest rate floor is determined by the formula
(N) max(0, rf - r)(dt/No. of days a year),
Where,
N is the notional principal amount of the agreement,
r is the actual spot rate on the reset date
rf is the floor rate or strike price, and
dt is the number of days from the last interest rate reset date to the payment date.
[Link] Interest Rate Collars:
It is a combination of a Cap and Floor. The purchaser of a Collar buys a Cap and simultaneously
sells a Floor. A Collar has the effect of locking its purchases into a floating rate of interest that is
bounded on both high side and the low side.
Although buying a collar limits a borrower's ability to benefit from a significant decline in market
interest rates, it has the advantage of being less expensive than buying a cap alone because the
borrower earns premium income from the sale of the floor that offsets the cost of the cap. A zero-
cost collar results when the premium earned by selling a floor exactly offsets the cap premium.
The amount of the payment due to or owed by a buyer of an interest rate collar is determined by
the expression
(N)[max(0, r - rc) - max(0, rf- r)](dt /No. of days a year),
Where,
N is the notional principal amount of the agreement,
r is the actual spot rate on the reset date
rc is the cap rate,
rf is the floor rate, and
dt is the term of the index in days.
2.2.3 Interest Rate Swaps
In an interest rate swap, the parties to the agreement, termed the swap counterparties, agree to
exchange payments indexed to two different interest rates. Total payments are determined by the
specified notional principal amount of the swap, which is never actually exchanged.

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[Link] Swap Dealers

The intermediary collected a brokerage fee as compensation, but did not maintain a continuing
role once the transaction was completed. The contract was between the two ultimate swap users,
who exchanged payments directly.
[Link] A fixed/floating swap is characterized by:
 a fixed interest rate;
 a variable or floating interest rate which is periodically reset;
 a notional principal amount upon which total interest payments are based; and
 the term of the agreement, including a schedule of interest rate reset dates (that is, dates
when the value of the interest rate used to determine floating-rate payments is determined)
and payment dates.
[Link] Timing of Payments
A swap is negotiated on its "trade date" and settlement takes effect two days later called
"settlement date."
[Link] Price Quotation
The convention in the swap market is to quote the fixed interest rate as an All-In-Cost (AIC), which
means that the fixed interest rate is quoted relative to a flat floating-rate index.
[Link] Types of Swap
(a) Plain Vanilla Swap: Also called Generic Swap and it involves the exchange of a fixed
rate loan to a floating rate loan. Floating rate basis can be LIBOR, MIBOR, Prime Lending Rate
etc.
For example, Fixed interest payments on a generic swap are calculated assuming each month has
30 days and the quoted interest rate is based on a 360-day year. Given an All-In-Cost of the swap,
the semiannual fixed-rate payment would be:
(N)(AIC)(180/360),
Where,
N denotes the notional principal amount of the agreement.
AIC denotes the fixed rate
Then, the floating-rate receipt is determined by the formula:
(N)(R)(dt/360)
Where,
dt denote the number of days since the last settlement date

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R denotes the reference rate such as LIBOR, MIBOR etc.

(b) Basis Rate Swap: Also, called Non-Generic Swap. Similar to plain vanilla swap with the
difference payments based on the difference between two different variable rates. For example
one rate may be 1 month LIBOR and other may be 3-month LIBOR. In other words two legs of
swap are floating but measured against different benchmarks.
(c) Asset Swap: Like plain vanilla swaps with the difference that it is the exchange fixed rate
investments such as bonds which pay a guaranteed coupon rate with floating rate investments
such as an index.
(d) Amortising Swap: An interest rate swap in which the notional principal for the interest
payments declines during the life of the swap. They are particularly useful for borrowers who have
issued redeemable bonds or debentures. It enables them to interest rate hedging with redemption
profile of bonds or debentures.
2.2.4 Swaptions
An interest rate swaption is simply an option on an interest rate swap. It gives the holder the right
but not the obligation to enter into an interest rate swap at a specific date in the future, at a
particular fixed rate and for a specified term.
There are two types of swaption contracts: -
• A fixed rate payer swaption gives the owner of the swaption the right but not the
obligation to enter into a swap where they pay the fixed leg and receive the floating leg.
• A fixed rate receiver swaption gives the owner of the swaption the right but not the
obligation to enter into a swap in which they will receive the fixed leg, and pay the floating
leg.
[Link] Principal Features of Swaptions
A. A swaption is effectively an option on a forward-start IRS, where exact terms such as the
fixed rate of interest, the floating reference interest rate and the tenor of the IRS are
established upon conclusion of the swaption contract.
B. A 3-month into 5-year swaption would therefore be seen as an option to enter into a 5-year
IRS, 3 months from now.
C. The 'option period' refers to the time which elapses between the transaction date and the
expiry date.
D. The swaption premium is expressed as basis points.
E. Swaptions can be cash-settled; therefore at expiry they are marked to market off the
applicable forward curve at that time and the difference is settled in cash.

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[Link] Pricing of Swaptions

The pricing methodology depends upon setting up a model of probability distribution of the forward
zero-coupon curve which undoes a Market process.
[Link] Uses of Swaptions
a) Swaptions can be applied in a variety of ways for both active traders as well as for
corporate treasurers.
b) Swap traders can use them for speculation purposes or to hedge a portion of their swap
books.
c) Swaptions have become useful tools for hedging embedded optionality which is common to
the natural course of many businesses.
d) Swaptions are useful to borrowers targeting an acceptable borrowing rate.
e) Swaptions are also useful to those businesses tendering for contracts.
f) Swaptions also provide protection on callable/puttable bond issues.

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE

Theoretical Questions
1. Write a short note on Forward Rate Agreements.
2. What do you know about swaptions and their uses?
Practical Questions
1. Derivative Bank entered into a plain vanilla swap through on OIS (Overnight Index Swap)
on a principal of ` 10 crores and agreed to receive MIBOR overnight floating rate for a fixed
payment on the principal. The swap was entered into on Monday, 2nd August, 2010 and was
to commence on 3rd August, 2010 and run for a period of 7 days.
Respective MIBOR rates for Tuesday to Monday were:
7.75%,8.15%,8.12%,7.95%,7.98%,8.15%.
If Derivative Bank received ` 317 net on settlement, calculate Fixed rate and interest under
both legs.
Notes:
(i) Sunday is Holiday.
(ii) Work in rounded rupees and avoid decimal working.

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 INTEREST RATE RISK MANAGEMENT 711.15

2. M/s. Parker & Co. is contemplating to borrow an amount of `60 crores for a Period of 3
months in the coming 6 month's time from now. The current rate of interest is 9% p.a., but it
may go up in 6 month’s time. The company wants to hedge itself against the likely increase
in interest rate.
The Company's Bankers quoted an FRA (Forward Rate Agreement) at 9.30%p.a.
What will be the Final settlement amount, if the actual rate of interest after 6 months
happens to be (i) 9.60% p.a. and (ii) 8.80% p.a.?

ANSWERS/ SOLUTIONS
Answers to Theoretical Questions
1. Please refer paragraph 2.1.2
2. Please refer paragraph 2.2.4
Answers to the Practical Questions
1.
Day Principal (`) MIBOR (%) Interest (`)
Tuesday 10,00,00,000 7.75 21,233
Wednesday 10,00,21,233 8.15 22,334
Thursday 10,00,43,567 8.12 22,256
Friday 10,00,65,823 7.95 21,795
Saturday & Sunday (*) 10,00,87,618 7.98 43,764
Monday 10,01,31,382 8.15 22,358
Total Interest @ Floating 1,53,740
Less: Net Received 317
Expected Interest @ fixed 1,53,423
Thus Fixed Rate of Interest 0.07999914
Approx. 8%
(*) i.e. interest for two days.
Note: Alternatively, answer can also be calculated on the basis of 360 days in a year.
2. Final settlement amount shall be computed by using formula:
(N)(RR - FR)(dtm/DY)
=
[1 + RR(dtm/DY)]

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 11.16 STRATEGIC FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

Where,
N = the notional principal amount of the agreement;
RR = Reference Rate for the maturity specified by the contract prevailing on the
contract settlement date;
FR = Agreed-upon Forward Rate; and
dtm = maturity of the forward rate, specified in days (FRA Days)
DY = Day count basis applicable to money market transactions which could be 360or
365 days.
Accordingly,
If actual rate of interest after 6 months happens to be 9.60%
(` 60 crore)(0.096 - 0.093)(3/12)
=
[1 + 0.096(3/12)]

(` 60crore)(0.00075)
= = ` 4,39,453
1.024
Thus banker will pay Parker & Co. a sum of ` 4,39,453
If actual rate of interest after 6 months happens to be 8.80%
(` 60 crore)(0.088 - 0.093)(3/12)
=
[1 + 0.088(3/12)]

(` 60crore)(-0.00125)
= = - ` 7,33,855
1.022
Thus Parker & Co. will pay banker a sum of ` 7,33,855
Note: It might be possible that students may solve the question on basis of days instead of
months (as considered in above calculations). Further there may be also possibility that the
FRA days and Day Count convention may be taken in various plausible combinations such
as 90 days/360 days, 90 days/ 365 days, 91 days/360 days or 91 days/365days.

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