Related provisions for REC 3.14.9
- (1)
The main provision within the definition of alternative debenture arrangements that seeks to ensure that only instruments that display the characteristics of a debt security can be alternative debentures is set out at PERG 2.6.11CG (5). It provides that the amount of additional payments under the arrangements must not exceed an amount which would, at the time the bond is issued, be a reasonable commercial return on a loan of capital. Where the return is not fixed at the outset, it is the maximum possible amount of the additional payments that must be considered in deciding this question. The following example demonstrates how this condition should be approached.
- additional payments under the arrangements would exceed a reasonable commercial return on a loan of the capital.
Further, where the return is not fixed at the outset, it is the maximum possible amount of the additional payments that must be considered. Here, the issue terms of the sukuk impose no upper limit on the amount of the periodic distributions: a sakk holder subscribing 1,000 may, in a year, get back 200 or 2,000 or nothing depending on the rental market. The maximum potential return is clearly in excess of a reasonable commercial return on a loan of 1,000; and
- the arrangements have not been admitted to an official list or admitted to trading on a regulated market or recognised investment exchange (see PERG 2.6.11CG (6)).
- (2)
If, in the above example, investors returns were capped at 500 per sakk per year, then this is the amount that must be considered in deciding whether the return exceeds a reasonable commercial return on a loan, even where the amounts actually received turn out to be far lower.
- (3)
In applying the reasonable commercial return test, the sakk should be compared to a hypothetical loan to the issuer on similar terms and carrying similar risks. For example, a conventional security convertible into shares will normally carry a lower rate of interest because the conversion right has a value. The return on an exchangeable or convertible sakk should be measured against the return on an equivalent exchangeable or convertible debt security.
- (4)
The risk to investors in sukuk may vary slightly from that of a conventional bond in some instances. This may be due to the fact that sukuk holders only have recourse to the bond assets or some other structural feature which results in the risk profile being higher. In such instances it may be justifiable for the rate of return to be slightly higher than that of a conventional loan.
- (5)
As with any financial instrument, the pricing of sukuk will depend on the issuers view of the market at the time of issue and reasonable commercial return may vary depending on the issuer and the economic circumstances prevalent at the time of issue.
Example ABC Ltd is a property development company. It wishes to increase its portfolio on a short-term basis. It issues 5-year sukuk to investors and uses the proceeds to buy the head lease of a commercial property. The rental income from the lease is distributed to investors in proportion to their holdings without a cap on the level of return. After 5 years, the head lease is sold on at a profit and the proceeds shared between investors. In this example, the investors participate directly in the success or failure of the underlying property business. The sakk is not really in the nature of a debt instrument. It is unlikely to be an alternative debenture as: |
Schedule to the Recognition Requirements Regulations, Paragraph 4(2)(g)
2Without prejudice to the generality of sub-paragraph [4(1)], the [UK RIE] must ensure that- |
where the [UK RIE's]facilitiesinclude making provision for the safeguarding and administration of assets belonging to users of thosefacilities, satisfactory arrangements are made for that purpose. |
Table: Items which are eligible to contribute to the capital resources of a firm
Item |
Additional explanation |
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1. |
Share capital |
This must be fully paid and may include: |
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(1) |
ordinary share capital; or |
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(2) |
preference share capital (excluding preference shares redeemable by shareholders within two years). |
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2. |
Capital other than share capital (for example, the capital of a sole trader, partnership or limited liability partnership) |
The capital of a sole trader is the net balance on the firm's capital account and current account. The capital of a partnership is the capital made up of the partners': |
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(1) |
capital account, that is the account: |
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(a) |
into which capital contributed by the partners is paid; and |
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(b) |
from which, under the terms of the partnership agreement, an amount representing capital may be withdrawn by a partner only if: |
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(i) he ceases to be a partner and an equal amount is transferred to another such account by his former partners or any person replacing him as their partner; or |
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(ii) the partnership is otherwise dissolved or wound up; and |
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(2) |
current accounts according to the most recent financial statement. |
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For the purpose of the calculation of capital resources, in respect of a defined benefit occupational pension scheme: |
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(1) |
a firm must derecognise any defined benefit asset; |
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(2) |
a firm may substitute for a defined benefit liability the firm'sdeficit reduction amount, provided that the election is applied consistently in respect of any one financial year. |
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3. |
Reserves (Note 1) |
These are, subject to Note 1, the audited accumulated profits retained by the firm (after deduction of tax, dividends and proprietors' or partners' drawings) and other reserves created by appropriations of share premiums and similar realised appropriations. Reserves also include gifts of capital, for example, from a parent undertaking. |
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For the purposes of calculating capital resources, a firm must make the following adjustments to its reserves, where appropriate: |
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(1) |
a firm must deduct any unrealised gains or, where applicable, add back in any unrealised losses on debt instruments held, or formerly held,3 in the available-for-sale financial assets category; |
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(2) |
a firm must deduct any unrealised gains or, where applicable, add back in any unrealised losses on cash flow hedges of financial instruments measured at cost or amortised cost; |
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(3) |
in respect of a defined benefit occupational pension scheme: |
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(a) |
a firm must derecognise any defined benefit asset; |
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(b) |
a firm may substitute for a defined benefit liability the firm'sdeficit reduction amount, provided that the election is applied consistently in respect of any one financial year. |
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4. |
Interim net profits (Note 1) |
If a firm seeks to include interim net profits in the calculation of its capital resources, the profits have, subject to Note 1, to be verified by the firm's external auditor, net of tax, anticipated dividends or proprietors' drawings and other appropriations. |
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5. |
Revaluation reserves |
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6. |
General/ collective provisions (Note 1) |
These are provisions that a firm carrying on home financing1or home finance administration1holds against potential losses that have not yet been identified but which experience indicates are present in the firm's portfolio of assets. Such provisions must be freely available to meet these unidentified losses wherever they arise. Subject to Note 1, general/collective provisions must be verified by external auditors and disclosed in the firm's annual report and accounts. 1111 |
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7. |
Subordinated loans |
Subordinated loans must be included in capital on the basis of the provisions in this chapter that apply to subordinated loans. |
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Note: |
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1 |
Reserves must be audited and interim net profits, general and collective provisions must be verified by the firm's external auditor unless the firm is exempt from the provisions of Part VII of the Companies Act 1985 (section 249A (Exemptions from audit)) or, where applicable, Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 (section 477 (Small companies: Conditions for exemption from audit))2 relating to the audit of accounts. 2 |
Table: Items which must be deducted from capital resources
1 |
Investments in own shares |
2 |
Intangible assets (Note 1) |
3 |
Interim net losses (Note 2) |
4 |
Excess of drawings over profits for a sole trader or a partnership (Note 2) |
Notes |
Notes 1. Intangible assets are the full balance sheet value of goodwill (but not until 14 January 2008 - see transitional provision 1), capitalised development costs, brand names, trademarks and similar rights and licences. 2. The interim net losses in row 3, and the excess of drawings in row 4, are in relation to the period following the date as at which the capital resources are being computed. |
Schedule to the Recognition Requirements Regulations, paragraph 3
2(1) |
The [UK RIE] must ensure that the systems and controls used in the performance of its [relevant functions] are adequate, and appropriate for the scale and nature of its business. |
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(2) |
Sub-paragraph (1) applies in particular to systems and controls concerning - |
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(a) |
the transmission of information; |
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(b) |
the assessment, mitigation and management of risks to the performance of the [UK RIE'srelevant functions]; |
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(c) |
the effecting and monitoring of transactions on the [UK RIE]; |
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(ca) |
the technical operation of the [UK RIE], including contingency arrangements for disruption to its facilities; |
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(d) |
the operation of the arrangements mentioned in paragraph 4(2)(d); and |
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(e) |
(where relevant) the safeguarding and administration of assets belonging to users of the [UK RIE's] facilities. |