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
Financial Concepts
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
Accounting Errors – Meaning, Causes and Types
The errors or mistakes which are committed in the journal, ledger and any other financial statements are known as accounting errors. Accounting errors may be defined as those mistakes which are generally committed while recording the financial transactions in the book of accounts. These errors may be committed while recording the transactions in the journal and posting them in the ledger accounts. Such errors may be technically committed or committed due to lack of the knowledge of accounting principles and rules. Generally, accounting errors are unintentional. However, it may intentionally be committed so as to take some undue advantage. Accounting errors distort the true business results. Therefore, these errors must be properly located and rectified for ascertaining the true profit or loss and financial position of the business. Major Causes of Accounting Errors There can be several causes of accounting errors. The following are the important ones: Lack of Knowledge: Continue reading
Importance of an Accounting System
Business enterprises are created for achieving one or more objectives — profit motive being the most dominant among all objectives. For accomplishing objectives efficiently and effectively, the firm needs resources which must be optimally utilized. The firm faces the question of the use and allocation of resources at two levels. First, at the macro level, the firm has to compete for resources with other firms in the capital market. The criterion used by the capital market to allocate resources is efficiency, which is conventionally measured in terms of profits. A firm would thus succeed to obtain funds from the capital market if it has been profitable in the past, or has a profit making potential in the future. The capital market consists of investors-individuals and institutional-who decide about the allocation of funds to the firms on the basis of information regarding the financial performance of the firms. Continue reading
Advantages and Disadvantages of Different Sources of Finance
Finance is essential for a business’s operation, development and expansion. Finance is the core limiting factor for most businesses and therefore it is crucial for businesses to manage their financial resources properly. Finance is available to a business from a variety of sources both internal and external. It is also crucial for businesses to choose the most appropriate source of finance for its several needs as different sources have its own benefits and costs. 1. Personal Savings This is the amount of personal money an owner, partner or shareholder of a business has at his disposal to do whatever he wants.When a business seeks to borrow the personal money of a shareholder, partner or owner for a business’s financial needs the source of finance is known as personal savings. Advantages; The owner would not want collateral to lend money to the business. There is no paperwork required. The money need Continue reading
Separate Trading of Registered Interest and Principal of Securities (STRIPS)
STRIPS is the acronym for Separate Trading of Registered Interest and Principal of Securities. STRIPS let investors hold and trade the individual interest and principal components (also known as stripping) of eligible Treasury notes and bonds as separate securities. The origin of Strip Bonds can be traced to the 1960s, when Investment Dealers in the United States began (physically) clipping coupons from bearer government bonds and selling the individual pieces as separate securities. These clipped bonds gained immense popularity and their sales gained momentum in the early and mid 1980s as the interest rates surged to high levels. This was so because it allowed investors to lock in the very high yields that were available at that time, without worrying about the risk of not being able to re-invest future interest payments at the same high rates. The interest and principal steam of cash flow are deterministic and are known Continue reading