Monday, August 14, 2006

GUIDELINES FOR ISSUE OF CP

INTRODUCTION

The Commercial Paper (CP) as a unique investment to raise short team funds has undergone several changes over past few year. CP is an unsecured money market instrument issued in the form of a promissory note. Guidelines for issue of CP are presently governed by various directives issued by the RBI (Reserve Bank of India), as amended from time to time.

ELIGIBLE ISSUERS

Corporates, Primary Dealers (PDs) and the all-India financial institutions (FIs) that have been permitted to raise short-term resources under the umbrella limit fixed by the Reserve Bank of India are eligible to issue CP.

ELIGIBILITY FOR CORPORATES
 A corporate would be eligible to issue CP provided:

  • the tangible net worth of the company, as per the latest audited balance sheet, is not less than Rs.4 crore
  • company has been sanctioned working capital limit by bank/s or all-India financial institution/s; and
  • the borrowal account of the company is classified as a Standard Asset by the financing bank's / institution's, and
  • All eligible participants shall obtain the credit rating for issuance of Commercial Paper.
MATURITY PERIOD

CP can be issued for maturities between a minimum of 7 days and a maximum up to one year from the date of issue.

DENOMINATIONS AND FORM

CP can be issued in denominations of Rs.5 lakh or multiples thereof. Amount invested by a single investor should not be less than Rs.5 lakh (face value). CP can be issued in the form of a promissory note in a dematerialized form through any of the depositories approved by and registered with SEBI.

ISSUING AND PAYING AGENT (IPA)

Only a scheduled bank can act as an IPA for issuance of CP. After the exchange of deal confirmation between the investor and the issuer, issuing company shall issue physical certificates to the investor or arrange for crediting the CP to the investor's account with a depository. Investors shall be given a copy of IPA certificate to the effect that the issuer has a valid agreement with the IPA and documents are in order It may be noted that the concept of blocking a portion of working capital limit has been done away with. The co acceptance of CP by commercial bank is not permissible.

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