Financial statement analysis is employed for a variety of reasons. Outside investors are seeking information as to the long run viability of a business and its prospects for providing an adequate return in consideration of the risks being taken. Creditors desire to know whether a potential borrower or customer can service loans being made. Internal analysts and management utilize financial statement analysis as a means to monitor the outcome of policy decisions, predict future performance targets, develop investment strategies, and assess capital needs. As the role of the credit manager is expanded cross-functionally, he or she may be required to answer the call to conduct financial statement analysis under any of these circumstances. The DuPont analysis is a useful tool in providing both an overview and a focus for such analysis. History of DuPont Analysis The DuPont model of financial analysis was made by F. Donaldson Brown, an electrical engineer Continue reading
Financial Concepts
Double Entry System of Bookkeeping
The recording of financial transactions undertaken by an individual or an organization defined Bookkeeping. The organization could be an enterprise, a charitable organization or even a local sports club. The necessary support for such accounting function is provided by bookkeeping as the preparation of cost reports, financial statements, and tax returns. Making entries to specific accounts with debit and credit system and keeping track of a business’s financial transactions is involved. Bookkeeping has evolved through the years from clay tablets, to paper ledgers, and now computerized systems. Even for now, bookkeeping fundamentals have not been changed through the ages. And chances are the future societies will not be able to exist without a formal system of financial recording keeping. In short, some of the same problems that plagued ancient bookkeepers still exist even with modern advancement. The process of bookkeeping is always considered to be as vital importance to categorize Continue reading
Difference between Cash Credit and Overdraft
Cash credit is a short-term cash loan to a company. A bank provides this type of funding, but only after the required security is given to secure the loan. Once a security for repayment has been given, the business that receives the loan can continuously draw from the bank up to a certain specified amount. This type of financing is similar to a line of credit. Furthermore, cash credit is a facility to withdraw the amount from the business account even though the account may not have enough credit balance. The limit of the amount that can be withdrawn is sanctioned by the bank based on the business cycle of the client and the working capital gap and the drawing power of the client. This drawing power is determined, based on the stock and book debts statements submitted by the borrower at monthly intervals against the security by hypothecating of Continue reading
Types of Investors in the Stock Market
There is a wide diversity among investors, depending on their investment styles, mandates, horizons, and assets under management. Primarily, investors are either individuals, in that they invest for themselves or institutions, where they invest on behalf of others. Risk appetites and return requirements greatly vary across investor classes and are key determinants of the investing styles and strategies followed as also the constraints faced. Primarily investors can be categorized into two groups: Individual Investors: While in terms of numbers, individuals comprise the single largest group in most markets, the size of the portfolio of each investor is usually quite small. Individuals differ across their risk appetite and return requirements. Those averse to risk in their portfolios would be inclined towards safe investments like government securities and bank deposits, while others may be risk takers who would like to invest and/or speculate in the equity markets. Requirements of individuals also evolve Continue reading
Catastrophe Bonds or CAT Bonds
Catastrophe Bonds (or CAT Bonds) are high-yield, risk-linked securities used to transfer explicitly to the capital markets major catastrophe exposures such as low probability disastrous losses due to hurricanes and earthquakes. It has a special condition that states that if the issuer (Insurance or Reinsurance Company) suffers a particular predefined catastrophe loss, then payment of interest and/or repayment of principal is either deferred or completely waived. These bonds were first introduced as a solution to problems resulting from traditional insurance market capacity constraints, excessive insurance premia, and insolvency risk due to catastrophic losses. Catastrophe Bonds or CAT Bonds are complex financial tools which transfer peril specific risks to the capital markets instead of an insurance company. The peril risk is transferred through a complex system of events which include creation of a special purpose vehicle by a sponsor, modeling event scenarios by qualified risk management firms, drafting of a bond Continue reading
The Debt Collection Policy (Loan Recovery Policy)
The debt collection policy (recovery policy) of the bank is built around dignity and respect to customers. The Bank will not follow policies that are unduly coercive in recovery of dues from borrowers. The policy is built on courtesy, fair treatment and persuasion. The bank believes in following fair practices with regard to recovery of dues from borrowers and taking possession of security (properties / assets charged to the bank as primary or collateral security) (known as security repossession) and thereby fostering customer confidence and long-term relationship. The repayment schedule for any loan sanctioned by the Bank will be fixed taking into account the repaying capacity and cash flow pattern of the borrower. The bank will explain to the customer upfront the method of calculation of interest and how the Equated Monthly Installments (EMI) or payments through any other mode of repayment will Continue reading