Question

Assume you just deposited $1,000 into a bank account. The current real interest rate is 7.00% and inflation is expected to be 8.00% over the next year. What nominal interest rate would you require from the bank over the next year? How much money will you have at the end of one year? If you are saving to buy fancy bicycle that currently sells for $1,050, will you have enough money to buy it?

Answer 1

a) The nominal interest rate that I would require from the bank over the next year is 15%.

b) At the end of one year, I will have $1,150.

c) If I am saving to buy a fancy bicycle that currently sells for $1,050, I will have enough money ($1,150) to buy it. It will be costing $1,134 ($1,050 * 1.08) with inflation rate of 8% in one year's time.

Explanation:

The nominal interest rate (15%) is higher than the real interest rate (7%) when inflation is positive because the real interest rate is adjusted for inflation (at 8%). The real interest rate is the rate without inflation while the nominal interest rate factors in the inflation rate.