The new issue market / activity was regulated by the Controller of Capital Issues (CCI) under the provisions of the Capital Issues (Control) Act, 1947 and the exemption orders and rules made under it. With the repeal of the Act and the consequent abolition of the office of the CCI in 1992, the protection of the interest of the investors in securities market and promotion of the development and regulation of the market/ activity became the responsibility of the SEBI. To tone up the operations of the new issues in the country, it has put in place rigorous measures. These cover both the major intermediaries as well as the activities. So, we will discuss here, various intermediaries, their regulation and SEBI guidelines related to them.
Merchant Bankers: In modern times, importance of merchant banker is very much, because it the key intermediary between the company and issue of capital. Main activities of the merchant bankers are – determining the composition of the capital structure, drafting of prospectus and application forms, compliance with procedural formalities, appointment of registrars to deal with the share application and transfer, listing of securities, arrangement of underwriting / sub-underwriting, placing of issues, selection of brokers, bankers to the issue, publicity and advertising agents, printers and so on. Due to overwhelming importance of merchant banker, it is now mandatory that merchant banker functioning as lead manager should manage all public issues. In case of rights issue not exceeding Rs.50 lakh, such appointments may not be necessary.
Underwriters: Another important intermediary in the new issue/ primary market is the underwriters to issue of capital who agree to take up securities which are not fully subscribed. They make a commitment to get the issue subscribed either by others or by themselves. Though underwriting is not mandatory after April 1995, its organization is an important element of primary market. Underwriters are appointed by the issuing companies in consultation with the lead managers / merchant bankers to the issues.
Bankers to an Issue: The bankers to an issue are engaged in activities such as acceptance of applications along with application money from the investor in respect of capital and refund of application money.
Brokers to the Issue: Brokers are persons mainly concerned with the procurement of subscription to the issue from the prospective investors. The appointment of brokers is not compulsory and the companies are free to appoint any number of brokers. The managers to the issue and the official brokers organize the preliminary distribution of securities and procure direct subscription from as large or as wide a circle of investors as possible.
Registrars to an Issue and Share Transfer Agents: The registrars to an issue, as an intermediary in the primary market, carry on activities such as collecting applications from the investors, keeping a proper record of applications and money received from the investors or paid to the sellers of securities and assisting companies in determining the basis of allotment of securities in consultation with the stock exchanges, finalizing the allotment of securities and processing / dispatching allotment letters, refund orders, certificates and other related documents in respect of the issue of capital. To carry on their business, the registrars must be registered with the SEBI. They are divided into two categories: (a) Category I, to carry on the activities as registrar to an issue and share transfer agent; (b) Category II, to carry on the activity either as registrar or as a share transfer agent. Category I registrars mush have minimum net worth of Rs. 6 lakhs and Category II, Rs. 3. Category I is required to pay a initial registration fee of Rs. 50,000 and renewal fee of Rs.40,000 every three years, where as Category II is required to pay Rs.30,000 and Rs. 25,000 respectively.
Debenture Trustees: A debenture trustee is a trustee for a trust deed needed for securing any issue of debentures by a company. To act as a debenture trustee, a certificate from the SEBI is necessary. Only scheduled commercial banks, PFIs, Insurance companies and companies are entitled to act as a debenture trustees. The certificate of registration is granted to suitable applicants with adequate infrastructure, qualified manpower and requisite funds. Registration fee is Rs. 5 lakh and renewal fee is Rs. 2.5 lakh every three years.
Portfolio Managers: Portfolio manager are defined as persons who in pursuance of a contract with clients, advise, direct, undertake on their behalf the management/ administration of portfolio of securities/ funds of clients. The term portfolio means the total securities belonging to any person. The portfolio management can be (i) Discretionary or (ii) Non-discretionary. The first type of portfolio management permits the exercise of discretion in regard to investment / management of the portfolio of the securities / funds. In order to carry on portfolio services, a certificate of registration from SEBI is mandatory. The certificate of registration for portfolio management services is granted to eligible applicants on payment of Rs.5 lakh as registration fee. Renewal may be granted by SEBI on payment of Rs. 2.5 lakh as renewal fee (every three years).
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