Issue of Debt Securities now has Non-Convertible Debentures (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2010 in addition to compliance under Companies Act & SEBI regulation

Reporting of Issuance of Non Convertible Debentures

The Reserve Bank of India has issued the ‘Issuance of Non-Convertible Debentures (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2010’ vide IDMD.DOD.9/11.01.01(A)/2009-10 dated June 23, 2010 (which is made effective from 2nd August 2010) regarding regulation of non-convertible debentures of maturity up to one year (NCDs). In terms of paragraph 12.7 of the said Directions read with paragraphs 12.4, 12.5 and 12.6 ibid, the Debenture Trustees are required to report the details of issuance of the NCDs, the outstanding amount of NCDs and default in repayment of NCDs to the Financial Markets Department, Reserve Bank of India, Central Office, Mumbai 400 001.

It is advised to submit the required information as per format enclosed in

1. Annex 1 (details of issuance of NCDs),
2. Annex 2 (outstanding amount of NCDs), and
3. Annex 3 (particulars of default in repayment of NCDs) to the Chief General Manager, Financial Markets Department, Reserve Bank of India, Central Office, Fort Mumbai 400 001 (Fax: 022-22630981/22634824; e-mail).
4. The required information may be submitted in hard as well as soft copies.
5. While the report on issuance of NCDs may be submitted within 3 days from the date of completion of the issue and
6. the report on default in repayment may be submitted immediately,
7. the report on outstanding amount of NCDs may be submitted on quarterly basis within five working days from the completion of the calendar quarter to which the report pertains.

Issuance of Non-Convertible Debentures (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2010 – An Understanding:

The Reserve Bank of India, having considered it necessary in public interest and to regulate the financial system of the country to its advantage, in exercise of its powers conferred under sections 45K, 45L and  45W of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 and of all the powers enabling it in this behalf, hereby gives to the agencies dealing in securities and money market instruments, the following directions for issuance of Non-Convertible Debentures (NCDs) of original or initial maturity up to one year.

Definition: Non-Convertible Debenture (NCD) means a debt instrument issued by a corporate (including NBFCs) with original or initial maturity up to one year and issued by way of private placement;

“Corporate” means a company as defined in the Companies Act, 1956 (including NBFCs) and a corporation established by an act of any Legislature.

Eligibility to issue NCDs
A corporate shall be eligible to issue NCDs if it fulfills the following criteria, namely,

1. the corporate has a tangible net worth of not less than Rs.4 crore, as per the latest audited balance sheet;
2. the corporate has been sanctioned working capital limit or term loan by bank/s or all-India financial institution/s; and
   
3. the borrowal account of the corporate is classified as a Standard Asset by the financing bank/s or institution/s.

Rating Requirement
An eligible corporate intending to issue NCDs shall obtain credit rating for issuance of the NCDs from one of the rating agencies, viz., the Credit Rating Information Services of India Ltd. (CRISIL) or the Investment Information and Credit Rating Agency of India Ltd. (ICRA) or the Credit Analysis and Research Ltd. (CARE) or the FITCH Ratings India Pvt. Ltd or such other agencies registered with Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) or such other credit rating agencies as may be specified by the Reserve Bank of India from time to time, for the purpose.
The minimum credit rating shall be P-2 of CRISIL or such equivalent rating by other agencies.

The Corporate shall ensure at the time of issuance of NCDs that the rating so obtained is current and has not fallen due for review.

Maturity

• NCDs shall be issued for maturities of 90 days or more from the date of issue.
• The exercise date of option (put/call), if any, attached to the NCDs shall fall after the period of 90 days from the date of issue.
• The tenor of the NCDs shall not exceed the validity period of the credit rating of the instrument.

Denomination
NCDs may be issued in denominations with a minimum of Rs.5 lakh (face value) and in multiples of Rs.1 lakh.

Limits and the Amount of Issue of NCDs

1. The aggregate amount of NCDs issued by a corporate shall be within such limit as may be approved by the Board of Directors of the corporate or the quantum indicated by the Credit Rating Agency for the rating granted, whichever is lower.
2. The total amount of NCDs proposed to be issued shall be completed within a period of 2 weeks from the date on which the corporate opens the issue for subscription.

Procedure for Issuance

1. The corporate shall disclose to the prospective investors, its financial position as per the standard market practice.
2. The auditors of the corporate shall certify to the investors that all the eligibility conditions set forth in these directions for the issue of NCDs are met by the corporate.
3. The requirements of all the provisions of the Companies Act, 1956 and the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Issue and Listing of Debt Securities) Regulations, 2008, or any other law, that may be applicable, shall be complied with by the corporate and shall also comply with Debt Listing Agreement.
4. The Debenture Certificate shall be issued within the period prescribed in the Companies Act, 1956 or any other law as in force at the time of issuance. 
5. NCDs may be issued at face value carrying a coupon rate or at a discount to face value as zero coupon instruments as determined by the corporate.

Debenture Trustee

• Every corporate issuing NCDs shall appoint a Debenture Trustee (DT) for each issuance of the NCDs.
• Any entity that is registered as a DT with the SEBI under SEBI (Debenture Trustees) Regulations, 1993, shall be eligible to act as DT for issue of the NCDs only subject to compliance with the requirement of these Directions.
• The DT shall submit to the Reserve Bank of India such information as required by it from time to time.

Investment in NCD
NCDs may be issued to and held by individuals, banks, Primary Dealers (PDs), other corporate bodies including insurance companies and mutual funds registered or incorporated in India and unincorporated bodies, Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs).

• Investments in NCDs by Banks/PDs shall be subject to the approval of the respective regulators.
• Investments by the FIIs shall be within such limits as may be set forth in this regard from time to time by the SEBI.

Preference for Dematerialisation

While option is available to both issuers and subscribers to issue/hold NCDs in dematerialised or physical form, they are encouraged to issue/ hold NCDs in dematerialised form. However, banks, FIs and PDs are required to make fresh investments in NCDs only in dematerialised form.

Roles and Responsibilities

12.1 The role and responsibilities of corporates, DTs and the credit rating agencies (CRAs) are set out below:

(a) Corporates
12.2 Corporates shall ensure that the guidelines and procedures laid down for issuance of NCD are strictly adhered to.
(b) Debenture Trustees
12.3 The roles, responsibilities, duties and functions of the DTs shall be guided by these regulations, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Debenture Trustees) Regulations,1993, the trust deed and offer document.
12.4 The DTs shall report, within three days from the date of completion of the issue, the issuance details to the Chief General Manager, Financial Markets Department, Reserve Bank of India, Central Office, Fort, Mumbai-400001.
12.5 DTs should submit to the Reserve Bank of India (on a quarterly basis) a report on the outstanding amount of NCDs of maturity up to year.
12.6 In order to monitor defaults in redemption of NCDs, the DTs are advised to report immediately, on occurrence, full particulars of defaults in repayment of NCDs to the Financial Markets Department, Reserve Bank of India, Central Office, Fort, Mumbai-400001, Fax: 022-22630981/22634824.
12.7 The DTs shall report the information called for under para 12.4, 12.5 and 12.6 of these Directions as per the format notified by the Reserve Bank of India, Financial Markets Department, Central Office, Mumbai from time to time.
(c) Credit Rating Agencies (CRAs)
12.8 Code of Conduct prescribed by the SEBI for the CRAs for undertaking rating of capital market instruments shall be applicable to them (CRAs) for rating the NCDs.
12.9 The CRA shall have the discretion to determine the validity period of the rating depending upon its perception about the strength of the issuer. Accordingly, CRA shall, at the time of rating, clearly indicate the date when the rating is due for review.

12.10 While the CRAs may decide the validity period of credit rating, they shall closely monitor the rating assigned to corporates vis-à-vis their track record at regular intervals and make their revision in the ratings public through their publications and website.

Documentary Procedure

1. Issuers of NCDs of maturity up to one year shall follow the Disclosure Document brought out by the Fixed Income Money Market and Derivatives Association of India (FIMMDA), in consultation with the Reserve Bank of India as amended from time to time.
2. Violation of the directions will attract penalties, which would include debarring of the entity from the NCD market.

Debt Listing: Special Exemptions to regulated financial sector entities eligible for meeting capital requirements as specified by respective regulators, SEBI amendment

SEBI/IMD/DOF-1/BOND/Cir-1/2010 dated 7th January 2010

SEBI has introduced Simplified Debt Listing Agreement that prescribed norms for issue of public or privately placed debt securities and listing of such securities on the exchange and has also issued Clarification on applicability of SEBI Regulations/ Circulars on Initial and Continuous Disclosures for Convertible and Non-Convertible Debt.

Since Part-A of the Listing Agreement for debt is applicable for debt issuers with already listed equity, it is clarified that the covenants in the Equity Listing Agreement that require submission of a draft offer document to SEBI for observations or obtaining of an acknowledgement card are not applicable in case of an issue of debt securities which is made in terms of the SEBI (Issue and Listing of Debt Securities) Regulations, 2008.

Further, SEBI vide SEBI/IMD/DOF-1/BOND/Cir-5/2009 dated 26th November, 2009 has amended the Debt Listing Agreement.

In continuation thereof, it has been decided to amend the Simplified Listing Agreement for Debt Securities as follows with immediate effect:
(a) After clause 5, the following proviso shall be inserted:

Clause 5: In respect of its listed debt securities, the Issuer agrees that it shall maintain 100% asset cover sufficient to discharge the principal amount at all times for the debt securities issued and shall disclose to the exchange on half-yearly basis and in their annual financial statements the extent and nature of security created and maintained.

Provisio: Provided that this requirement shall not be applicable in case of unsecured debt instruments issued by regulated financial sector entities eligible for meeting capital requirements as specified by respective regulators.

(b) In clause 16, after sub-clause (a), the following proviso shall be inserted:

Clause 16(a): In respect of its listed debt securities, the Issuer agrees that it shall maintain 100% asset cover sufficient to discharge the principal amount at all times for the debt securities issued and shall disclose to the exchange on half-yearly basis and in their annual financial statements, the extent and nature of security created and maintained.

Provisio: Provided that this requirement shall not be applicable in case of unsecured debt instruments issued by regulated financial sector entities eligible for meeting capital requirements as specified by respective regulators.

(c) In clause 29A, in sub-clause (b) and sub-clause (c), the word “un-audited” shall be omitted.

Clause 29A(b): Such unaudited half-yearly results [meaning, EITHER audited half yearly results OR unaudited with Limited Review Report as per Clause 29A(a)] should have been taken on record by the Board of Directors/ Council of Issuer as the case may be or its Sub Committee and signed by the Managing Director / Executive Director.
Clause 29A(c): The Issuer shall, within 48 hours of the conclusion of the Board/Council or its Sub Committee Meeting, publish the unaudited financial results [meaning, EITHER audited  results OR unaudited with Limited Review Report as per Clause 29A(a)] in at least one English daily newspaper circulating in the whole or substantially the whole of India.

Debt Listing Agreement amendment & clarification requires Equity Listing Agreement compliance unless excluded by Debt Securities Regulations 2008

SEBI has introduced Simplified Debt Listing Agreement that prescribed norms for issue of public or privately placed debt securities and listing of such securities on the exchange and has also issued Clarification on applicability of SEBI Regulations/ Circulars on Initial and Continuous Disclosures for Convertible and Non-Convertible Debt.

Since Part-A of the Listing Agreement for debt is applicable for debt issuers with already listed equity, it is clarified that the covenants in the Equity Listing Agreement that require submission of a draft offer document to SEBI for observations or obtaining of an acknowledgement card are not applicable in case of an issue of debt securities which is made in terms of the SEBI (Issue and Listing of Debt Securities) Regulations, 2008.

Now, SEBI vide SEBI/IMD/DOF-1/BOND/Cir-5/2009 dated 26th November, 2009 has amended the following in the Debt Listing Agreement:

(a). 100% Asset Cover: To align the Listing Agreement with the provisions of the Companies Act, 1956, the amended Listing Agreement requires issuers to maintain 100% asset cover sufficient to discharge the principal amount at all times for the debt securities issued. Further, to provide more information to investors, the periodic disclosures to the stock exchange shall now require disclosure of the extent and nature of security created and maintained.

(b). Submission of certificate on maintenance of security: As against half-yearly certifications on security cover in respect of listed secured debt securities, the amended Listing Agreement provides for submission of such certificates regarding maintenance of 100% asset cover, and the time limit of submission in respect of the last half year has been aligned with the option provided for submission of annual audited results at a later date. In addition to Banks and NBFCs being exempt from submitting such certificates, issuers of Government guaranteed bonds shall also be exempt.

(c). Statement on Use of Issue Proceeds: In order to enhance the quality of disclosures made to investors, issuers shall be required to furnish a statement of deviations in use of issue proceeds, if any, to the stock exchange on a half yearly basis. Also, the same is required to be published in the newspapers simultaneously with the half-yearly financial results.

(d). Deposit of 1% of issue proceeds: So as to ensure that the interest of investors investing in public issues of debt securities is protected, the issuer shall be required to deposit an amount calculated at 1% of the amount of debt
securities offered for subscription to the public. It is refundable or forfeitable in the manner stated in the Rules, Bye-laws and Regulations of the Exchange.

(e). Submission/ publication of Financial Statements: The time-lines for disclosure of financial statements have been aligned with the proposed changes to the Equity Listing Agreement. Accordingly, issuers would now have to publish/furnish to the Exchange, either audited half yearly financial statements or unaudited half yearly financial statements subject to a limited review within 45 days from the end of the half year. In case of the last half year, issuers may opt to submit their annual audited results in lieu of the unaudited financial results for the period, within 60 days from the end of the financial year.

Click here for detailed amendments in Part A & Part B of Debt Listing Agreement

Comply DIP for fully/partly convertible debt, Comply Debt regulations for Non-convertible debentures, SEBI clarifies

Clarification on applicability of SEBI Regulations/ Circulars on Initial and Continuous Disclosures for Convertible and Non-Convertible Debt

SEBI has introduced Simplified Debt Listing Agreement that prescribed
norms for issue of public or privately placed debt securities and listing of such securities on the exchange.

Now it is clarified that, issue and listing of non-convertible debt securities, whether issued to the public or privately placed, is to be done in accordance with the provisions of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Issue and Listing of Debt Securities) Regulations, 2008. Issue of debt securities that are convertible, either partially or fully or optionally into listed or unlisted equity shall be guided by the disclosure norms applicable to equity or other instruments offered on conversion in terms of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Disclosure and Investor Protection) Guidelines, 2000 (which is proposed to be replaced by New ICDR regulations, 2009).

Source: SEBI/IMD/BOND/Cir-2/2009 dated June 23, 2009

Understand 30 clauses of debt securities listing agreement with 2 parts & 5 annexures under securitised debt instruments regulations, 2008

Simplified Listing Agreement for Debt Securities

SEBI/IMD/BOND/1/2009/11/05 dated May 11, 2009

as amended SCRA enables, SEBI (Public Offer and Listing of Securitised Debt Instruments) Regulations, 2008 from 26 may 2008 onwards, SEBI has issued Listing Agreement for debt securities w.e.f. 11th May 2009.

As per Regulation 2(1)(e) of the said regulations, Debt Securities MEANS a non-convertible debt security,

• which create/acknowledge indebtedness AND INCLUDES,
• debentures/bonds/other securities of body corporate/statutory body,
• whether constituting CHARGE on the assets OR not, BUT EXCLUDES,
• bonds issued by Government, Security Receipts (SR) & Securitised Debt Instruments.

The said listing agreement is divided into 2 parts with 30 clauses and 5 annexures.  Kindly note dematerialisation of securities is a pre-condition to listing as per Clause 24.

Part A - Minimum Incremental Disclosures, when equity of the issuer company is listed [Clauses 1 to 11].

Part B – Detailed Disclosures (though fewer than Equity Listing), in all other cases [Clauses 12 to 30].

Part A

(in case issuer’s equity securities are listed)

1. Issuer may, subject to the consent of the debenture trustee, send the information stipulated in Clause 2(a) to (d) in electronic form/ fax.  Issuer (NOT, bank/NBFC) to submit within 1 month a half yearly certificate regarding maintenance of 100% security cover in respect of listed secured debt securities as certified by Practising Company Secretary or practising Chartered Accountant.

2. Issuer (NOT, bank/NBFC) shall disclose EPS along with debt service coverage ratio & interest service coverage ratio in accordance with Clause 4 read with Annexures I, II & III in half yearly/annual results.

3. Issuer to create and maintain security ensuring 100% security cover for listed secured debt securities at all times as per Clause 5.

4. Issuer to send half-yearly report to Stock Exchange WITHIN 1 month of September & March, the details of payment of principal interest, alongwith such other details as per Clause 6.

5. Issuer to use ECS/RTGS/NEFT for the purpose of interest/redemption/repayment and also intimate the expected default as soon as it becomes apparent as per Clause 7 & 8.

6. Issuer to credit DEMAT account of allottees WITHIN 2 working days of allotment as per Clause 9.

7. In case of public issue & listing of debt securities, allotment or refund orders shall be given WITHIN 30 days of closure of public issue or pay interest @ 15% p.a. as per Clause 10.

Part B

(in case of NO listed equity securities or on delisting of equity securities)

1. Issuer to transfer unclaimed interest to IEPF and redeem listed securities on pro rata basis or by lots, UNLESS the issue provides otherwise as per Clause 12.
2. Issuer may, subject to the consent of the debenture trustee, send
   the information stipulated in Clause 13(a) to (d) in electronic form/ fax.  Issuer (NOT, bank/NBFC) to submit within 1 month a half yearly certificate regarding maintenance of 100% security cover in respect of listed secured debt securities as certified by Practising Company Secretary or practising Chartered Accountant.
3. Issuer agrees to send copies of Director’s Annual Report, Balance Sheet and Profit and Loss Account to Debenture Trustees, Stock Exchanges & on request to debt security holders as per Clause 15.
4. Issuer to use ECS/RTGS/NEFT for the purpose of interest/redemption/repayment and issue ‘payable-at-par’ warrants/ cheques for payment of interest and redemption and comply with such other requirements of SEBI/SCRA as per Clause 16.
5. Issuer to credit DEMAT account of allottees WITHIN 2 working days of allotment as per Clause 17.
6. In case of public issue & listing of debt securities, allotment or refund orders shall be given WITHIN 30 days of closure of public issue or pay interest @ 15% p.a. as per Clause 18.
7. Issuer shall promptly notify stock exchange of any change that would affect the rights and obligations of the holders of debt securities and any other information having bearing on the operation/performance of the Issuer as well as price sensitive information, including Clause 19 (a) to (n).
8. In case of book closure/record date, 7 clear working days advance notice to be given to stock exchange as per Clause 20.
9. Issuer to intimate any intention to issue new debt securities and also make listing application for the same.  Any material modification in terms of debentures requires prior approval of Stock Exchange as approved by Board of Directors & Debenture Trustees [Clause 21].
10. As per Clause 22, Issuer to designate the Company Secretary or any
    other person as Compliance Officer.
11. Annual listing fees to be paid on or before 30th April every year [Clause 23].
12. Issuer to send notice of meetings & half-yearly report to Stock Exchange WITHIN 1 month of September & March, the details of payment of principal interest, alongwith such other details as per Clause 27.
13. As per Clause 28, Issuer to give Annual Disclosures in Annual Report with respect to its parent & subsidiary companies along with Cash Flow Statement in accordance with AS-3.
14. The Issuer shall,  [Clause 29]
    • WITHIN 48 hours of the conclusion of the Board/Council/Sub Committee Meeting, publish the unaudited financial results in at least one English daily newspaper (which is signed by MD/Executive Director). 
    • Furnish Unaudited Financial Results (Ann I/II/III) to Stock Exchange WITHIN 1 month of half-year.
    • Furnish Limited Review Report (Ann IV/IV) by statutory auditors (PCA for Public Sector) to Stock Exchange WITHIN 1 month of the month of publication of Unaudited financials.
    • Issuer has the option to furnish audited report WITHIN 3 months of financial year (for last half-year) with advance intimation to stock exchange.
    • address qualifications in audit report, if any.

Issuer shall comply with the said agreement and all provisions of  securities laws.  ‘Securities Laws’ mean the SEBI Act, 1992, the Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956, the Depositories Act, 1996 and the provisions of the Companies Act, 1956 which are administered by SEBI under section 55A thereof, the rules, regulations, guidelines etc. made under these Acts and the Listing Agreement for debt securities.  Issuer also has the option to apply for relaxation of strict enforcement of provisions, in which case Stock Exchange may grant exemption with prior approval of SEBI.

Thus, now Debt Securities has a separate regulation and separate listing agreement.

as amended SCRA enables, SEBI (Public Offer and Listing of Securitised Debt Instruments) Regulations, 2008 from 26 may 2008

The amendment to Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956 (SCRA) enabled SEBI to provide for disclosure based regulation for public issue of or listing of securitized debt instruments on the recognized stock exchanges with  a view to develop market for securitized debt instruments. Accordingly, SEBI has notified SEBI (Public Offer and Listing of Securitised Debt Instruments) Regulations, 2008 on May 26, 2008 taking into account the market needs, cost of the transactions, competition policy, the professional expertise of credit rating agencies, disclosures and obligations of the parties involved in the transaction and the interest of investors in such instruments. Salient features of the regulations are as follows : -



(a)The special purpose distinct entity i.e. issuer shall be in the form of a trust, the trustees thereof will require registration from SEBI. The registration granted to a trustee shall be permanent subject to compliance with the provisions with the SCRR and the regulations and payment of appropriate fees.

(b) If a debenture trustee registered with SEBI or a securitization company or a asset reconstruction company registered with Reserve Bank of India or National Housing Bank or the NABARD is the trustee of the issuer no registration from SEBI to act as such shall be required.

(c)  The securitized debt instruments issued to public or listed on recognized stock exchange shall acknowledge the beneficial interest of the investors in underlying debt or receivables assigned to the issuer. The regulations provide flexibility in terms of pay through / pass through structures and do not restrict any particular mode.

(d) The assignment of assets to the issuer shall be a true sale. The debt or receivables assigned to the issuer should be expected to generate identifiable cash flows for the purpose of servicing the instrument and the originator should have valid enforceable interests in the assets and in cash flow of assets prior to securitization.

(e) The issuer shall be a bankruptcy remote from the originator. Originator shall be an independent entity from the issuer and its trustees and the originator and its associates shall not exercise any control over the issuer. However, the originator may be appointed as a servicer. The issuer may appoint any other person as servicer in respect of any its schemes to co-ordinate with the obligors, manage the said pool and collection therefrom, administer the cash flows of asset pool, distribution to investors and reinvestments. The issuer shall not acquire any debt or receivables from any originator who is part of the same group or which is under the same management as the trustee.  Regulations require strict segregation of assets of each scheme.

(f).  The issuer may offer securitised debt instruments to public for subscription through an offer document containing disclosures of all relevant material facts including financials of the issuer, originator, quality of the asset pool, disclosure of various kinds of risks, credit ratings including unaccepted ratings, arrangements made for credit enhancement, liquidity facilities availed, underwriting of the issue etc. apart from the routine disclosures relating to issue, offer period, application, etc.

(g)Rating from atleast two credit rating agencies is mandatory and all ratings including unaccepted ratings shall be disclosed in the offer documents. The rating rationale should include reference to the quality of the said pool and strengthen of cash flows, originator profile, payment structure, risks and concerns for investors, etc.

(h) The instrument shall be in dematerialized form.

(i)The draft offer document shall be filed with SEBI atleast 15 days before opening of the issue.

(j)   In case of public issuances listing will be mandatory. The instruments issued on private placement basis may also be listed subject to the compliance of simplified provisions of the regulations. The securitised debt instruments issued to the public or listed on a recognized stock exchange in accordance with these regulations shall be freely transferable.

(k). It has been proposed to introduce simplified and relaxed listing agreement. Listing of private placement is also permitted subject to the compliance of simplified provisions of the listing agreement and the regulations. The simplified listing agreement is under preparation.

Please find attached the full text of the SEBI (Public Offer and Listing of Securitised Debt Instruments) Regulations, 2008 <http://www.sebi.gov.in/acts/sdireg.pdf> .

Source: PR No.124/2008 dated 19th June 2008

Thanks & Regards

Alagar
Investment Banking
Karvy Investor Services Limited
Chennai
Moble: 919884731993/ 919790906827
 

SEBI simplifies (Issuance and Listing of Debt Securities) Regulations, 2008

SEBI (Issue & Listing of Debt Securities) Regulations, 2008

 

In order to facilitate development of a vibrant primary market for corporate bonds in India, Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has notified Regulations for Issue and Listing of Debt Securities to provide for simplified regulatory framework for issuance and listing of non-convertible debt securities (excluding bonds issued by Governments) issued by any company, public sector undertaking or statutory corporations.  The Regulations  will not apply to  issue and listing of, securitized debt instruments  and  security receipts for which separate regulatory regime is in place.

The Regulations provide for rationalized disclosure requirements for public issues and flexibility to issuers to structure their instruments and decide on the mode of offering, without diluting the areas of regulatory concern. In case of public issues, while the disclosures specified under Schedule II of the Companies Act, 1956 shall be made, the Regulations require additional disclosures about the issuer and the instrument such as nature of instruments, rating rationale, face value, issue size, etc.

While the requirement of filing of draft offer documents with SEBI for observations has been done away with, emphasis has been placed on due diligence, adequate disclosures, and credit rating as the cornerstones of transparency. Regulations prescribe certifications to be filed by merchant bankers in this regard. The Regulations emphasize on the role and obligations of the debenture trustees, execution of trust deed, creation of security and creation of debenture redemption reserve in terms of the Companies Act.

The Regulations enable electronic disclosures. The draft offer document needs to be filed with the designated stock exchange through a SEBI registered merchant banker who shall be responsible for due diligence exercise in the issue process and the draft offer document shall be  placed on the websites of the stock exchanges for a period of seven working days inviting comments. The documents shall be downloadable in PDF or HTML formats. The requirements for advertisements have also been simplified.

While listing of securities issued to the public is mandatory, the issuers may also list their debt securities issued on private placement basis subject to compliance of simplified regulatory requirements as provided in the Regulations. The Regulations provide an enabling framework for listing of debt securities issued on a private placement basis, even in cases where the equity of the issuer is not listed. NBFCs and PFIs are exempted from mandatory listing. However, they may list their privately placed debt securities subject to compliance with the simplified requirements and Listing Agreement. A rationalized listing agreement for debt securities is under preparation.

Please find attached the full text of the SEBI (Issue and Listing of Debt Securities) Regulations <http://www.sebi.gov.in/acts/debtregu.pdf> .

Source: PR No.123/2008 dated 19th June 2008
 

Thanks & Regards

Alagar
Investment Banking
Karvy Investor Services Limited
Chennai
Moble: 919884731993/ 919790906827