Hara-Kiri Swap

A hara-kiri swap is an interest rate or cross-currency swap devoid of profit potential for the originator. The term became popular in the 1980s when Japanese banks and brokers were offerings very attractive rates in order to obtain business from mostly foreign companies. In Japan, hara-kiri is a form of slow ritual suicide. The swaps were dubbed hara-kiri because not making a profit on these types of transactions was viewed as financial suicide.