Answer:
1. - 0.02%.
2. 12.7%
Explanation:
Suppose the average rate paid by banks on savings accounts is 0.9% at a time when inflation is around 1.2?%.
For the average saver, the real rate of interest on his or her savings is - 0.02%.
The real rate is derived from the nominal rate minus the inflation rate which is 0.9% - 1.2% = - 0.02%
If banks expect that the rate of inflation in the coming year will be 4.2% and they want a real return of 8.5%on a certain category of loans, then the nominal rate they should charge borrowers on those loans is 12.7%
As stated above, The real rate is derived from the nominal rate minus the inflation rate which in this case
Nominal Rate = Real rate + Inflation Rate. i.e. 8.5% + 4.2% = 12.7%