Neveready Flashlights Inc. needs $300,000 to take a cash discount of 3/16, net 77. A banker will loan the money for 61 days at an interest cost of $14,900.  

a. What is the effective rate on the bank loan? (Use a 360-day year. Do not round intermediate calculations. Input your answer as a percent rounded to 2 decimal places.)

b. How much would it cost (in percentage terms) if the firm did not take the cash discount but paid the bill in 77 days instead of 16 days? (Use a 360-day year. Do not round intermediate calculations. Input your answer as a percent rounded to 2 decimal places.)

c. Should the firm borrow the money to take the discount?

d. If the banker requires a 20 percent compensating balance, how much must the firm borrow to end up with the $300,000?

e-1. What would be the effective interest rate in part d if the interest charge for 61 days were $12,900? (Use a 360-day year. Do not round intermediate calculations. Input your answer as a percent rounded to 2 decimal places.)

e-2. Should the firm borrow with the 20 percent compensating balance requirement? (The firm has no funds to count against the compensating balance requirement.)