PROTECTION OF DEPOSITORS

In last two posts here and here, we discussed terms and conditions of a deposit and circular and advertisement issued by a company for acceptance of deposit. Now, we will discuss measures for protection of depositors under the Companies Rules, 2014. Before discussing these rules, I recommend you to refer my earlier post here for general provision related to deposit under the Companies Act, 2013.

MANNER AND EXTENT OF DEPOSIT INSURANCE:

Every company inviting deposits shall enter into a contract for providing deposit insurance at least thirty days before the issue of circular or advertisement or at least thirty days before the date of renewal, as the case may be.

UPDATE:

According to the Companies (Acceptance of Deposits) Amendment Rules, 2014 notified on 6 June 2014, companies may accept the deposits without deposit insurance contract till the 31st March, 2015.

The deposit insurance contract shall specifically provide that in case the company defaults in repayment of principal amount and interest thereon, the depositor shall be entitled to the repayment of principal amount of deposits and the interest thereon by the insurer up to the aggregate monetary ceiling as specified in the contract. In case of any deposit and interest not exceeding twenty thousand rupees, the deposit insurance contract shall provide for payment of the full amount of the deposit and interest and in the case of any deposit and the interest thereon in excess of twenty thousand rupees, the deposit insurance contract shall provide for payment of an amount not less than twenty thousand rupees for each depositor.

A deposit up to twenty thousand rupees is fully covered by deposit insurance.         

The amount of insurance premium paid on the insurance of such deposits shall be borne by the company itself and shall not be recovered from the depositors by deducting the same from the principal amount or interest payable thereon.

If any default is made by the company in complying with the terms and conditions of the deposit insurance contract which makes the insurance cover ineffective, the company shall either rectify the default immediately or enter into a fresh contract within thirty days and in case of non-compliance, the amount of deposits covered under the deposit insurance contract and interest payable thereon shall be repaid within the next fifteen days and if such a company does not repay the amount of deposits within said fifteen days it shall pay fifteen percent interest per annum for the period of delay and shall be treated as having defaulted and shall be liable to be punished in accordance with the provisions of the Act.

APPOINTMENT OF TRUSTEE FOR DEPOSITORS:

No company issue a circular or advertisement inviting secured deposits unless the company has appointed one or more trustees for depositors for creating security for the deposits. A written consent shall be obtained from the trustee for depositors before their appointment and a statement shall appear in the circular or circular in the form of advertisement with reasonable prominence to the effect that the trustees for depositors have given their consent to the company to be so appointed.

The company shall execute a deposit trust deed in Form DPT – 2 at least seven days before issuing the circular or circular in the form of advertisement.

No person including a company that is in the business of providing trusteeship services shall be appointed as a trustee for the depositors, if the proposed trustee –

(a) is a director, key managerial personnel or any other officer or an employee of the company or of its holding, subsidiary or associate company or a depositor in the company;

(b) is indebted to the company, or its subsidiary or its holding or associate company or a subsidiary of such holding company;

(c) has any material pecuniary relationship with the company;

(d) has entered into any guarantee arrangement in respect of principal debts secured by the deposits or interest thereon;

(e) is related to any person specified in clause (a) above.

No trustee for depositors shall be removed from office after the issue of circular or advertisement and before the expiry of his term except with the consent of all the directors present at a meeting of the board. In case the company is required to have independent directors, at least one independent director shall be present in such meeting of the Board.

Form DPT – 2:

The deposit trust deed shall, inter alia, contain the following:-

DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSIT SCHEME –

1. Covenants stating the purpose of raising finance through the deposit scheme ;

2. Details of deposit scheme as regards amount, tenure, interest or coupon rate, periodicity of payment, mode of payment and period of redemption;

3. An undertaking by the company to pay the interest and principal amount of such deposits to the Deposit holders as and when it becomes due, as per the terms of the scheme ;

4. Covenants stating the terms of redemption of the deposits in terms of the scheme to the deposit holders, options available, and debt equity ratio and debt service coverage ratio, if applicable.

DETAILS OF CHARGE CREATED:-

1. Nature of charge created;

2. Rank of charge created viz. first, second, pari passu, residual, etc;

3. Minimum security cover to be provided;

4. Asset(s) on which charge is created;

5. Other particulars of the charge, e.g., time period of charge, rate of interest, name of the charge holder;

6. Provision for subsequent valuation;

7. Undertaking by the company not to create further charge or encumbrance over the trust property without the approval of the trustee;

8. A statement that the company may hold and enjoy all the mortgaged premises and carry on the business of the company until the security becomes enforceable.

DETAILS OF DEPOSIT INSURANCE

1. Name of the insurer;

2. Amount of the insurance cover;

2. Other terms and conditions governing deposit insurance contract.

PARTICULARS OF THE APPOINTMENT OF DEPOSIT TRUSTEE(S):-

1. The conditions for the appointment, resignation and removal of such trustee, which shall ensure that-

(a) the appointment of the trustee must be confirmed by the resolution passed by the Board of Directors.

(b) any removal of a trustee and subsequent appointment of a substitute trustee by the company must also be approved by the Board of Directors.

(c) the casual vacancy, if any, arising in the office of the trustees, shall be filled by the board.

2. Remuneration, legal cost, travelling and other expenses payable to the trustee(s) for their services; and

3. Powers and duties of the trustee.

REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

A covenant to the effect that:-

1. the company will carry on its business in a proper and efficient manner with due diligence and efficiency;

2. the company will give to the trustee any information to the extent required by law relating to business, mortgage property and affairs of the company which the trustee may require in order to discharge its duties and obligations as trustee under the trust deed;

3. the company will not utilize any portion of the deposit for purposes other than those for which the same are accepted;

4. the company will inform the trustee of any material changes in the existing management set up;

5. the company will not declare any dividend to the shareholders in any year until the company has paid or made satisfactory arrangements for the payment of the principal amounts of matured deposits and interest due on the deposits; and

6. the company shall immediately notify the trustee if it becomes aware of any event of default or any other circumstance which may prejudice the interests of the deposit holders.

EVENTS OF DEFAULTS:-

1. Events which may invite actions by the deposit trustee shall include the following events:

a. If the company commits default in the payment of any interest and principal which ought to be paid in accordance with the terms of the acceptance of deposits;

b. If the company without the consent of deposit holders ceases to carry on its business or gives notice of its intention to do so;

c. If an order has been made by the Court or a special resolution has been passed by the members of the company for winding up of the company;

d. If any breach of the terms of the circular or advertisement inviting deposits or of the covenants of this deed is committed;

e. If the company creates or attempts to create any further charge on the mortgaged premises or any part thereof without the prior approval of the trustees or deposit holders;

f. If the company fails to comply with provisions of the Act;

g. If the Trustees have reasonable grounds to conclude that the security of the deposit holders is in jeopardy.

2. Covenant to the effect that in case of the security becoming enforceable , the trustees shall enter into and take possession of the property on which charge is created and shall, in consultation with the other charge holders forthwith take steps to determine whether the business of the company may be allowed to be carried on, the steps to be taken for changes in management of the company, if any, actions necessary for protection of the mortgaged property and other steps required for protecting the interests of the depositors.

3. Covenant to the effect that the trustees may lodge a claim under insurance for payment to depositors in terms of deposit insurance.

4. Covenant to the effect that the balance proceeds of any sale of the mortgaged premises shall, after setting off of all costs, charges and expenses incurred for the sale and payment of interest and the principal money due to deposit holders, be paid to the company or its assignee

MISCELLANEOUS

1. The conditions under which the provisions of the trust deed or the terms and conditions of the deposits may be modified;

2. The mode of service of notices and other documents on the borrower company, the trustee and the holders of the deposits;

3. The borrower company to be responsible for paying any stamp duty on the trust deed or the deposits (if applicable);

4. Provisions regarding the meeting of the deposit holders.

Please note: I welcome your comments and feedback. This blog post is not a professional advice. Readers may share this post on social media by using buttons given here.