BMI501 - International Trade Finance

Subject Title
International Trade Finance

Subject Description
The purpose of this course is to enable students to develop an understanding of the financial forces impacting the operation of multi-national companies.  Students will develop analytical abilities which will enable them to assess the financial impacts that multinational companies face in different situations and will enable them to find optimal solutions.  Students will be able to apply financial concepts to organizations operating internationally.  As well, students will develop an appreciation for the techniques used to control financial risk in international situations.

Credit Status
One credit.

Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this subject the student will be able to:

1. Identify the common objective of all businesses and explain how the agency factor affects international business success; list the three constraints that interfere with business objectives.  Describe the three theories that motivate businesses to expand internationally and name the four basic risks of international trade.
2. Define the balance of payments and differentiate between the current and capital accounts.  Describe the four factors that impact upon the current account and the capital account.  Name the main five agencies that facilitate international trade and financial transactions.
3. Contrast the functions of the five international financial markets.
4. Research and interpret foreign exchange rate quotations.  Describe the spot market and calculate the bid/ask spread.  State the conditions under which a forward contract would be used and calculate the premium or discount.  Explain the reasons for these occurrences.  Explain the risks attached to forward contracts and illustrate with examples.  Interpret cross exchange rates.  Describe currency options, calls, and puts.
5. Define exchange rate equilibrium and describe how supply and demand conditions affect it.  Evaluate the influence that relative inflation rates, relative interest rates, relative income levels, government controls, and expectations have on changing the supply and demand schedules.  Discuss the tactics used when speculating on exchange rate movements.
6. Contrast the operation of the four exchange rate systems.  Describe how governments intervene in the four systems and what effect each has on business decision making.  Cite the methods used by governments to directly and indirectly intervene in the foreign exchange markets.  Describe the effect of government deficits on exchange rates and contrast the effects of a strong and weak currency on a nation's economy.
7. Relate the theory of Purchasing Power Parity and the International Fisher Effect to changes in the exchange rates and illustrate the theories using examples.  Name the reasons why each theory may not always function as expected.
8. Differentiate among transaction, economic, and translation exposure risks.  Explain the effects these exposures have on the cash flow and reported earnings of a business involved in international trade.  Discuss the relevancy of measuring these exposure risks.
9. State how net transaction exposure is determined.  Evaluate the conditions under which hedging is or is not worthwhile.  Describe and compare the hedging techniques of future contract, forward contract, money market, and currency option.  Analyse the techniques of leading and lagging, cross hedging, and currency diversification. 
10. Discuss the importance of cash flow management.  Differentiate the functions of cash flow management  from the perspective of a subsidiary versus the central office.  Explain the techniques to optimise cash flows while assessing the complications involved.  Appraise the effects of corporate policy on subsidiary performance and consider the possible options to alleviate potential managerial difficulties.
11. Analyse country political and financial risk factors and describe the techniques to objectively assess country risk.  Explain the possible measures to reduce host-government takeovers.
12. Discuss the effect of country corporate and withholding taxes, special provisions, treaties, and credits on earnings and cash flows.  Evaluate the use of transfer pricing policies.  Consider the strategies that might be employed to lessen the effects of country taxes on earnings and after-tax cash flow.

Essential Employability Skills

    •  Communicate clearly, concisely and correctly in the written, spoken and visual form that fulfils the purpose and meets the needs of the audience.

    •  Execute mathematical operations accurately.

    •  Apply a systematic approach to solve problems.

    •  Use a variety of thinking skills to anticipate and solve problems.

    •  Analyze, evaluate, and apply relevant information from a variety of sources.

    •  Show respect for diverse opinions, values, belief systems, and contributions of others.

    •  Interact with others in groups or teams in ways that contribute to effective working relationships and the achievement of goals.

    •  Manage the use of time and other resources to complete projects.

    •  Take responsibility for one's own actions, decisions, and consequences.

Academic Integrity
Seneca upholds a learning community that values academic integrity, honesty, fairness, trust, respect, responsibility and courage. These values enhance Seneca's commitment to deliver high-quality education and teaching excellence, while supporting a positive learning environment. Ensure that you are aware of Seneca's Academic Integrity Policy which can be found at: http://www.senecapolytechnic.ca/about/policies/academic-integrity-policy.html Review section 2 of the policy for details regarding approaches to supporting integrity. Section 2.3 and Appendix B of the policy describe various sanctions that can be applied, if there is suspected academic misconduct (e.g., contract cheating, cheating, falsification, impersonation or plagiarism).

Please visit the Academic Integrity website http://open2.senecac.on.ca/sites/academic-integrity/for-students to understand and learn more about how to prepare and submit work so that it supports academic integrity, and to avoid academic misconduct.

Discrimination/Harassment
All students and employees have the right to study and work in an environment that is free from discrimination and/or harassment. Language or activities that defeat this objective violate the College Policy on Discrimination/Harassment and shall not be tolerated. Information and assistance are available from the Student Conduct Office at student.conduct@senecapolytechnic.ca.

Accommodation for Students with Disabilities
The College will provide reasonable accommodation to students with disabilities in order to promote academic success. If you require accommodation, contact the Counselling and Accessibility Services Office at ext. 22900 to initiate the process for documenting, assessing and implementing your individual accommodation needs.

Camera Use and Recordings - Synchronous (Live) Classes
Synchronous (live) classes may be delivered in person, in a Flexible Learning space, or online through a Seneca web conferencing platform such as MS Teams or Zoom. Flexible Learning spaces are equipped with cameras, microphones, monitors and speakers that capture and stream instructor and student interactions, providing an in-person experience for students choosing to study online.

Students joining a live class online may be required to have a working camera in order to participate, or for certain activities (e.g. group work, assessments), and high-speed broadband access (e.g. Cable, DSL) is highly recommended. In the event students encounter circumstances that impact their ability to join the platform with their camera on, they should reach out to the professor to discuss. Live classes may be recorded and made available to students to support access to course content and promote student learning and success.

By attending live classes, students are consenting to the collection and use of their personal information for the purposes of administering the class and associated coursework. To learn more about Seneca's privacy practices, visit Privacy Notice.