Notional Pooling

Notional Pooling combines multiple separate accounts for interest calculation, aiding large corporations in optimizing cash flow and reducing interest expenses. It is a way to streamline cash management and optimize interest costs without merging the accounts into a single entity.

It holds significant value for large corporations because it efficiently manages cash across subsidiaries. It consolidates funds for interest calculations, reducing interest charges and streamlining cash flow management. This approach optimizes resources without merging accounts, preserving legal distinctions between entities while enhancing financial efficiency and bolstering overall liquidity management.

Notional pooling in banks refers to a cash management technique where the bank aggregates the balances of multiple accounts held by a single corporate entity or group for interest calculation purposes. It is a technique for corporations with multiple subsidiaries that involves banks monitoring individual account balances.

Such pooling method takes a broader approach. Instead of tracking each account separately, it aggregates all accounts within a company, treating them as a single entity. It means that if the collective balance is positive, the bank pays interest to the corporation. Conversely, if the total balance is negative, the bank charges interest.

Despite this aggregated view for interest calculation, the actual money doesn't move between accounts. Each subsidiary retains complete legal control over its funds. The term notional pooling signifies that the balances are conceptually combined for interest calculation purposes.

Commercial banks often provide options for interest allocation. They can direct the interest income to the parent corporation or distribute it among the constituent accounts based on their contributions to the pooled balance. This flexibility allows companies to choose the most advantageous approach for managing their finances.

Let us look at some examples to understand the concept better -

Example #1

Suppose ABC Corporation operates globally, with subsidiaries in Europe, Asia, and North America. Each subsidiary maintains its bank account.

European Subsidiary: €50,000 (credit)

Asian Subsidiary: $20,000 (credit)

North American Subsidiary: $10,000 (debit, i.e., an overdraft)

Without this cash management technique, each subsidiary would earn interest on its positive balances, and the North American Subsidiary would face interest charges on its overdraft.

However, with this cash management technique, the bank combines the balances of all three accounts for interest calculation purposes. The aggregated net balance would be the sum of the positive balances minus the debit balance, resulting in a net positive balance.

If this net balance is positive, the corporation could earn interest on the combined positive amount. Alternatively, if the net balance is negative, the corporation would pay interest only on the net overdraft amount.

This approach allows ABC Corporation to optimize its cash management globally. The positive balances from the European and Asian subsidiaries help offset the negative balance of the North American subsidiary, potentially reducing overall interest charges for the corporation.

Example #2

Imagine a global company called Global Tech Inc. with subsidiaries in three countries:

United States: Has a surplus of $500,000 in its bank account.

United Kingdom: It has a deficit of $300,000 and needs to borrow funds.

Germany: Has a deficit of $200,000 and also needs to borrow funds.

Without this cash management technique:

The UK and German subsidiaries would each borrow money from their local banks, paying interest on the loans.

The US subsidiary would earn minimal interest on its surplus cash.

With this cash management technique:

• Global Tech Inc. agrees with a bank that operates in all three countries.
• The bank creates a virtual master account that consolidates the balances of all three subsidiaries, treating them as a single entity.
• The surplus in the US account offsets the deficits in the UK and German accounts.
• Interest is calculated based on the net balance of the virtual master account, which is now $0.

The Global Tech Inc. enjoyed certain benefits of notional pooling as mentioned below:

• Reduced Borrowing Costs: Global Tech Inc. avoids paying interest on loans in the UK and Germany, as the surplus in the US account covers those needs.

• Earned Interest: If the net balance of the virtual master account were positive, Global Tech Inc. would earn interest on the surplus.

• Enhanced Liquidity Management: The company can efficiently manage its overall cash position across multiple countries.

• Simplified Cash Flow: It simplifies cash flow forecasting and reduces administrative burdens.

Example #3

Citi has broadened its financial service offerings by extending its multi-currency notional pooling capabilities to Amsterdam, complementing its existing setup in London. This expansion allows multinational clients greater flexibility in managing their liquidity and working capital. By consolidating end-of-day balances from various accounts held with Citibank Europe plc, Netherlands Branch, into a single net amount, Citi enables clients to efficiently minimize bank interest costs across major global and European currencies.

This move aligns with Citi's strategic vision, leveraging its Global platform to deliver enhanced liquidity and financial and operational benefits to clients. Moreover, when combined with the recently introduced Citi® Virtual Accounts, which streamline balances under one physical account, the offering provides clients with heightened control, visibility, and efficiency in managing payments, receivables, and overall liquidity. This expansion emphasizes Citi's commitment to offering comprehensive cash management solutions globally through its Treasury and Trade Solutions arm, reflecting its dedication to meeting clients' evolving treasury models and needs across various geographies.

The advantages and disadvantages of this cash management technique are as follows-

Advantages

1. Interest Optimization: It allows companies to consolidate their balances for interest calculation, earning higher interest on combined positive balances while minimizing interest charges on net negative balances.
2. Enhanced Cash Management: It streamlines cash management by providing a holistic view of funds across subsidiaries, aiding in better liquidity management and potentially reducing borrowing costs.
3. Administrative Efficiency: It simplifies financial operations by reducing the number of transactions and administrative tasks associated with managing multiple accounts.

Disadvantages

1. Regulatory and Tax Complexities: The arrangements might encounter regulatory restrictions or tax implications in certain jurisdictions, requiring careful compliance management.
2. Risk of Cross-Subsidiary Dependency: If one subsidiary consistently maintains a negative balance, it might rely on the positive balances of others, potentially creating inter-subsidiary dependencies and risks.
3. Bank Dependency: The effectiveness of this technique heavily relies on banking arrangements and relationships. Changes in bank policies or disruptions could impact the efficacy of the pooling system.

The differences between notional and physical pooling are as follows-