International Financial Management – 6E - 2011
Chapter 19

1. An effective cash management system should be based on a cash budget that projects expected cash inflows and outflows over some planning horizon. It provides for the orderly receipt and disbursement of cash. It also provides for funds organization, where cash shortages are covered by borrowing at the most promising rates and surplus funds are invested at the most beneficial rates. Within an MNC the complexity of the cash management process is compounded because the firm does business in a variety of currencies and the cost of foreign exchange transactions. is an additional measurement to be accomplished.
2. Under a centralized cash management system, the cash manager will have a global view of the cash necessities of the MNC. There will be less chance that funds will be misallocated, like, denominated in the wrong currency. Additionally, under a global view, transaction exposure for the MNC can be more professionally managed. A centralized system readily allows for investing excess cash at the most beneficial rates and borrowing to cover cash shortages at the most favorable rates. Under a decentralized system, the local cash manager is given more responsibility for managing the cash needs of the affiliate than under a centralized system. Consequently, the local cash management position serves as good training for higher level positions within the affiliate or MNC. Also, under a decentralized system, local bank relationships are better developed since the affiliate conducts more of its cash management functions at the local level. This may prove important if funds need to be borrowed locally. But overall, the benefits of a centralized cash management system tend to outweigh its disadvantages.
PROBLEMS
1. Portfolio standard deviation = [($40,000)2 + ($60,000)2 + ($30,000)2 + ($70,000)2 ] =