Post issue security creation brought under the SEBI net for bonds

A.    

Roadmap for change in security or creation of additional security or conversion of unsecured to secured in case of already listed NCS

i.        

Amendment to Debenture Trustee Agreement: The trustee and the issuer, issuing the NCS (Issuer) are required to enter into an amended debenture trustee agreement to incorporate (a) the obligations arising out of the November 3 Circular inter alia to capture the details of new security, encumbrance on such security, terms and conditions of exercising due diligence; (b) periodical monitoring and disclosure requirements under the SEBI circular dated 12 November 2020 (November 12 Circular); and (c) any other circular or stipulation by SEBI pertaining to due diligence and continuous monitoring by trustee.

ii.      

Due diligence by debenture trustee: The trustee will conduct due diligence in accordance with the process laid down under the November 3 Circular inter alia verifying that the fresh security being offered is free from any encumbrances or necessary permissions or consents have been obtained from existing charge holders. Pursuant to the initial due diligence, trustee shall issue a no-objection certificate (NOC) to the Issuer to proceed with the proposed change in structure of NCS and creation of security.

iii.   

Amendment of debenture trust deed and perfection of charge: The Issuer and the trustee shall enter into a supplemental debenture trust deed to incorporate all the terms and conditions of the (a) due diligence conducted by the trustee; and (b) security created by the Issuer.

Thereafter, the Issuer shall create the charge over such security and the charge shall be registered in favour of trustee with the sub-registrar, registrar of companies, Central Registry of Securitisation Asset Reconstruction and Security Interest (CERSAI), Depository etc., as applicable, within 30 days of creation of charge.

Any encumbrance created on shares and other securities for securing the NCS shall be through the depository system only, which necessarily means that such securities need to be in dematerialised form. ‘Encumbrance’ for this purpose, has been widely defined and includes: (a) pledge, hypothecation, lien, negative lien, non-disposal undertaking or non-disposal agreement; (b) any restriction on the free and marketable title to securities; and (c) any covenant, transaction, condition or arrangement in the nature of encumbrance.

iv.   

Approval of stock exchange where NCS is listed: The Issuer is required to submit the following documents to the depositories and stock exchanges:

(a)  

NOC issued by the trustee for change in security or creation of security;

(b)             

executed supplemental debenture trust deed;

(c)  

undertaking from the trustee that the security has been created and registered; and

(d)             

documents and consents required to be submitted to stock exchanges and depositories for obtaining prior approval under Regulation 59 of SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015 (LODR Regulations) for change in structure of NCS (which includes inter alia approval from board of directors of the Issuer and the trustee; consent in writing from existing debenture holders).

v.      

New ISIN: Post receipt of documents as mentioned above, the depository shall assign a new ISIN to the NCS and share the information with respect to change in ISIN of NCS, with the recognized stock exchanges.

B.     

Aligning the due diligence certificate (DD Certificate) at the draft stage and shelf/tranche stage

i.        

DD Certificate for secured issuances at draft stage: In the event security is not confirmed at the time of filing draft shelf prospectus/ placement memorandum, the trustee is required to provide a due diligence certificate as per the format provided in Schedule IV of NCS Regulations and Annexure A of November 3 Circular, for the clauses other than security related clauses.

ii.      

DD Certificate for secured issuances at tranche memorandum/prospectus stage: The trustee shall provide a due diligence certificate as per the format provided in Schedule IV of NCS Regulations and Annexure A of November 3 Circular, covering all the clauses specified in the formats since the issue structure including the terms related to security has been finalized at shelf stage.

Accordingly, the trustee, is required to provide the due diligence certificate, in the format prescribed under Annexure A (as stated above) twice: at the draft and tranche stage, respectively. Further, Annexure B of November 3 Circular is required to be provided by the trustee to the Issuer, as a re-requisite to final listing of NCS.

C.     

Board approved policy for empanelment of external agencies by trustees

To appoint external agencies for due diligence purposes as per the November 3 Circular and November 12 Circular, the trustees are required to:

i.        

adopt an empanelment policy, approved by their board of directors and disclose the same on their website; and

ii.      

formulate a policy on conflict of interest and disclose the same on their website. Policy on conflict of interest shall include a requirement that the empanelled agency would have no pecuniary relationship with the Issuer 3 years prior to the issue.

D.    

Compliance with SEBI Circulars on ‘Security & Covenant Monitoring System’

Stakeholders viz. issuers, depositories, trustees and credit rating agencies shall ensure compliance with the SEBI circular dated 13 August 2021 and 29 March 2022, respectively and various circulars issued by SEBI from time to time in respect of the distributed ledger technology system, to ensure efficient recording of details regarding creation of security and monitoring of covenants.