
292 INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
exchange rate at the time of maturity of the contract. Thus, in a currency swap, there are two
principal amounts—one for each currency. The exchange of the principal amount at matu-
rity is essential, but the exchange of the principal amount at the beginning is optional. The
interest rates involved in the currency swap are expressed on either a fixed or a floating-rate
basis in either or both currencies. Currency swaps are also known as cross-currency swaps.
Currency swaps and interest rate swaps can be combined to form different types of currency
swaps, such as fixed-to-fixed currency swaps, fixed-to-floating ...