Question: Directions: Answer the following questions on a separate document. Explain how you reached the answer or show your work if a mathematical calculation is needed, or both. Submit your assignment using the assignment link above. Responses should be at least 75 words for each question.

1) Would you characterize the U.S. dollar as a freely floating or dirty float system? What characteristics support your answer?

2) What is direct central bank intervention in the currency markets and provide an example of this from the last 50 years.

3) Assume that Canada suddenly experiences high inflation. How might this affect the value of the Canadian dollar according to the purchasing power parity (PPP) theory?

4) Australia's central bank decides to increase the value of the Australian dollar against the Japanese yen. How might it use direct intervention to do this?

5) Assume the following information: • Mexican one-year interest rate = 15% • U.S. one-year interest rate = 11%If interest rate parity exists, what would be the forward premium or discount on the Mexican peso's forward rate? Would covered interest arbitrage be more profitable to U.S. investors than investing at home? Explain.

6) Create a balance sheet for a typical bank, showing its main liabilities (sources of funds) and assets (uses of funds).

7) The Federal Reserve has increasingly favored the use of Repurchase Agreements as part of its open market operations. Briefly describe these and why the Fed or banks prefer to use them.

8) Banks engage in proprietary trading as part of their operations. Briefly speculate on why they now must adhere to much more stringent trading activity as a result of the 2008-09 financial crises.

9) Briefly describe two off-balance sheet activities and why banks favor the use of these.

10) If you were the CEO of a US bank, would you consider establishing a foreign branch? What might be a concern related to doing so?

11) Select one factor that affects cash flows for a bank valuation. Why is this factor significant for banking operations?

12) Select one factor that affects the required rate of return for investors in commercial banks. Why is this factor significant for investors?

13) Differentiate interest income from noninterest income. Which, if any, is more significant for long-term health of banks (in your opinion)? Why?

14) Refer to Exhibit 20.5 in Chapter 20. Briefly explain one way bank managers may minimize the risk of loan losses given economic conditions.

15) Problem 1 - assessing bank performance (chapter 20, page 576).

16) Briefly explain why a bank's capital - or net worth - is important when it comes to possible losses, such as during the 2008-09 financial crisis.

17) Briefly explain one of the risks banks face. Why is this risk significant for banks?

18) Select and briefly explain one way banks may manage interest rate risk. Why might it be impossible to eliminate the risk completely?

19) Select one notable bank failure during the 2008-009 credit crisis. What was the primary reason for this failure?

20) Briefly explain how a credit union differs from a traditional commercial bank.

21) Briefly differentiate between a commercial bank and a consumer finance company. What is the most significant difference between these two?

22) Identify one of the significant risks finance companies face. Why is this risk important to monitor?

23) Select one factor that affects cash flows for a finance company valuation. Why is this factor significant for its operations?

24) Select one factor that affects the required rate of return for investors in finance companies. Why is this factor significant for investors?

25) Speculate on why you think a finance company is in a better position to offer credit cards than a commercial bank.

26) What is Net Asset Value (NAV) per share and what is the basic means used to determine its value?

27) Identify one expense of a mutual fund and briefly explain why management charges this fee. Why might investors be concerned with this fee?

28) In what way does a change in the risk-free rate affect a bond mutual fund?

29) Based on your understanding of mutual funds, would you favor a mutual fund of mutual funds or not? Why?

30) Briefly differentiate an exchange-traded fund from a mutual fund. Which would you select and why?