2019-07-19
The Securities Commission Malaysia issued these guidelines to regulate the distribution of seasoned corporate bonds and sukuk to retail investors. The document establishes eligibility criteria for distributors and instruments, mandating specific qualifications for personnel and comprehensive disclosure of risks and terms. It further imposes strict notification and quarterly reporting obligations on eligible distributors to ensure ongoing compliance and market transparency.
0 GUIDELINES ON SEASONED CORPORATE BONDS AND SUKUK SC-GL/4-2018 (R1-2019) 1st Issued: 19 September 2018 Revised: 19 July 2019
1 GUIDELINES ON SEASONED CORPORATE BONDS AND SUKUK Effective Date Upon 1st Issuance: 11 October 2018 List of Revisions Revision Series Revision Date Effective Date of Revision Series Number 1st Revision 19.07.2019 19.07.2019 SC-GL/4-2018 (R1-2019)
2 CONTENTS Chapter 1 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................ 1 Chapter 2 DEFINITIONS ............................................................................................................ 2 Chapter 3 ELIGIBILITY.............................................................................................................. 4 Chapter 4 REQUIREMENTS FOR PERSONS INVOLVED IN THE DISTRIBUTION OF SEASONED CORPORATE BONDS OR SUKUK............................................................. 8 Chapter 5 DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS.................................................................................. 9 Chapter 6 NOTIFICATION & REPORTING REQUIREMENTS...................................................... 9 APPENDIX 1 INITIAL NOTIFICATION...........................................................................................12 APPENDIX 2 POST-DISTRIBUTION NOTIFICATION OF ANY ADDITIONAL SEASONED CORPORATE BONDS OR SUKUK............................................................15 APPENDIX 3 QUARTERLY REPORTING .........................................................................................16 APPENDIX 4 NOTIFICATION ON NON-ELIGIBILITY OF SEASONED CORPORATE BONDS OR SUKUK.................................................................................................................19 APPENDIX 5 NOTIFICATION TO CEASE DISTRIBUTION OF SEASONED CORPORATE BONDS OR SUKUK.................................................................................................................21 APPENDIX 6 FIT AND PROPER REQUIREMENTS ..........................................................................22
1 Chapter 1 INTRODUCTION 1.01 The Guidelines on Seasoned Corporate Bonds and Sukuk are issued by the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) under section 377 of the Capital Markets and Services Act 2007 (CMSA). 1.02 These Guidelines set out requirements for the making available of, offer for subscription or purchase of, or invitation to subscribe for or purchase seasoned corporate bonds or sukuk to retail investors. 1.03 These Guidelines are in addition to and not in derogation of any other guidelines issued by the SC or any requirements provided for under securities laws. 1.04 The SC may, on its own initiative or upon application, grant an exemption from or a variation to the requirements of these Guidelines if the SC is satisfied that– (a) such variation, if granted, is not contrary to the intended purpose of the relevant provision in these Guidelines; or (b) there are mitigating factors that justify the exemption or variation. NON-APPLICATION 1.05 These Guidelines do not apply to the following: (a) Asset-backed securities (ABS) as defined under the Guidelines on Unlisted Capital Market Products under the Lodge and Launch Framework; or (b) Corporate bonds or sukuk that are structured like an ABS and have the following features but do not fall under the purview of the Guidelines on Unlisted Capital Market Products under the Lodge and Launch Framework: (i) Where the corporate bonds or sukuk are without recourse to an originator or obligor; or (ii) Where the ability to meet obligations under the senior tranche is enhanced by the less senior tranche.
2 Chapter 2 DEFINITIONS 2.01 Unless otherwise defined, all words used in these Guidelines shall have the meaning as defined in the CMSA. In these Guidelines, unless the context otherwise requires– corporate bonds means debentures as defined in the CMSA, but do not include– (a) structured products; and (b) debentures issued by– (i) the Federal Government; (ii) any State Government; or (iii) Bank Negara Malaysia Malaysia; distribute refers to the– (a) making available of; (b) offering for subscription or purchase of; or (c) issuing of an invitation to subscribe for or purchase, corporate bonds or sukuk; licensed bank has the meaning assigned to it in the Financial Services Act 2013; licensed investment bank has the meaning assigned to it in the Financial Services Act 2013; licensed Islamic bank has the meaning assigned to it in the Islamic Financial Services Act 2013; obligor means an entity that is contractually obliged to honour the financial obligations of an issuer;
3 retail investors has the meaning assigned to it in the Guidelines on Sales Practices of Unlisted Capital Market Products; seasoned corporate bonds or sukuk means corporate bonds or sukuk that have been issued to sophisticated investors and are eligible to be distributed to retail investors after the seasoning period in accordance with these Guidelines; seasoning period means, (a) in the case of a one-off issuance, a period of 12 months from the date the corporate bonds or sukuk were issued to sophisticated investors; or (b) in the case of a tranche under a debt or sukuk programme, a period of 12 months from the issuance of that tranche to sophisticated investors; sophisticated investors has the meaning assigned to it in the Guidelines on Sales Practices of Unlisted Capital Market Products; sukuk means certificates of equal value evidencing undivided ownership or investment in the assets using Shariah principles and concepts endorsed by the Shariah Advisory Council, but do not include sukuk issued by– (a) the Federal Government; (b) any State Government; or (c) Bank Negara Malaysia.
4 Chapter 3 ELIGIBILITY Eligible Distributors 3.01 Only the following entities are eligible to distribute seasoned corporate bonds or sukuk in accordance with these Guidelines (Eligible Distributor): (a) A licensed bank; (b) A licensed investment bank; (c) A licensed Islamic bank; (d) A holder of a Capital Markets and Services Licence for dealing in securities; or (e) A holder of a Capital Markets and Services Licence for dealing in securities restricted to over-the-counter bonds. Eligible corporate bonds or sukuk 3.02 Corporate bonds or sukuk that are intended to be distributed in accordance with these Guidelines must be those issued by any of the following: (a) A licensed bank, licensed investment bank or licensed Islamic bank; (b) A public company whose shares are listed and quoted on a stock exchange; (c) Cagamas Bhd; (d) Danajamin Nasional Bhd; (e) Khazanah Nasional Bhd; or
5 (f) A public company whose shares are not listed and quoted on a stock exchange, provided that– (i) the corporate bonds or sukuk are irrevocably and unconditionally guaranteed in full by any of the entities referred to in the above subparagraphs (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) or the Credit Guarantee and Investment Facility; or (ii) the sukuk are issued by a public company established by any of the entities referred to in the above sub-paragraphs (a), (b), (c), (d) or (e), with full recourse to the establishing entity in its capacity as obligor. 3.03 Corporate bonds or sukuk that are intended to be distributed in accordance with these Guidelines must also have the following characteristics: (a) Denominated in ringgit Malaysia; (b) A tenure of more than one year; (c) Have a minimum rating of A (or its equivalent) rated by a credit rating agency registered with the SC; (d) Completed the full seasoning period; (e) The corporate bonds or sukuk have– (i) an information memorandum; (ii) a trust deed; and (iii) in relation to a sustainable and responsible investment (SRI) sukuk, an independent expert report on eligible SRI project issued pursuant to the Guidelines on Unlisted Capital Market Products Under the Lodge and Launch Framework;
6 (f) Fixed term with principal and any accrued interest/returns/profit payable at expiry; (g) Fixed or variable rate of return/profit rate; (h) Interests/returns/profits to be paid periodically on certain specified intervals from the issue date, except for zero-coupon corporate bonds or sukuk without periodic distribution; (i) Rank at least equally with amounts owing to unsecured and unsubordinated creditors; and (j) Does not embed any swaps, options1 or other derivatives, except in the case of convertible or exchangeable corporate bonds or sukuk where– (i) the option is to convert or exchange the corporate bonds or sukuk into shares; (ii) the option to convert or exchange the corporate bonds or sukuk into shares is at the discretion of the investor; and (iii) the underlying shares are listed and quoted on a stock exchange. 3.04 Notwithstanding paragraphs 3.02 and 3.03 above, an Eligible Distributor may distribute corporate bonds or sukuk that meet the requirements for regulatory capital as set out in the relevant guidelines on capital adequacy issued by Bank Negara Malaysia. These corporate bonds or sukuk must also have the following characteristics: (a) The corporate bonds or sukuk were issued by any of the following entities: (i) A licensed bank, licensed investment bank or licensed Islamic bank; (ii) The holding company of any of the entities referred to in sub-paragraph (a)(i); or 1 An option does not include any undertaking under a sukuk structure.
7 (iii) A public company established by any of the entities referred to in subparagraph (a)(i) and (ii) for the purpose of issuing corporate bonds or sukuk to meet capital adequacy requirements; (b) Denominated in ringgit Malaysia; (c) A tenure of more than one year; (d) Have a minimum rating of A (or its equivalent) rated by a credit rating agency registered with the SC; (e) Completed the full seasoning period; (f) Where the terms include a contractual write-off or conversion into equity, such terms may only be exercised to meet the requirements set out in the relevant guidelines on capital adequacy issued by Bank Negara Malaysia; and (g) The corporate bonds or sukuk were initially issued together with – (i) an information memorandum; and (ii) a trust deed.
8 Chapter 4 REQUIREMENTS FOR PERSONS INVOLVED IN THE DISTRIBUTION OF SEASONED CORPORATE BONDS OR SUKUK 4.01 An Eligible Distributor must ensure that its employees or agents who are involved in the distribution of seasoned corporate bonds or sukuk have at least any of the following qualification to perform their assigned functions: (a) Passed modules 6 and 7 of the SC Licensing Examinations; (b) An Investor Protection Professional Certification; (c) A Pasaran Kewangan Malaysia Certificate; or (d) Any other qualification that the SC may specify. 4.02 An Eligible Distributor must also ensure that the employees or agents referred to in paragraph 4.01 above remain fit and proper based on the standards stipulated in Appendix 6, unless such employees or agents are already required to comply with fit and proper standards as may be required under the CMSA or any guidelines issued by the SC or any other relevant authority.
9 Chapter 5 DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS 5.01 An Eligible Distributor must make available the following information: (a) Information that explains key characteristics of the seasoned corporate bonds or sukuk; (b) Information that explains the nature of the obligations assumed by the relevant parties dealing in the seasoned corporate bonds or sukuk; (c) Information that sets out the risks associated with the seasoned corporate bonds or sukuk; (d) Details of the essential terms of the seasoned corporate bonds or sukuk; (e) Avenues for advice or enquiries available to prospective investors; and (f) Where and how investors can lodge a complaint. 5.02 The information referred to in paragraph 5.01 must be made available to investors, either in a hardcopy version or an electronic version before the investor makes an investment decision. The information must be provided or made accessible to investors whether on the Eligible Distributor’s website or by reference to information in other sources including other websites. Chapter 6 NOTIFICATION AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS 6.01 An Eligible Distributor is responsible for the submission of any notification, report, information or document that may be required under these Guidelines. 6.02 Unless otherwise specified in the respective appendices, the Eligible Distributor must submit to the SC any notification, report, information or document that may be
10 required under these Guidelines or securities laws on an online platform as may be specified by the SC. 6.03 An Eligible Distributor shall retain copies of any notification, report, information or document (whether a physical or electronic copy) that has been submitted to the SC for a period of not less than seven years and shall produce any such copy to the SC upon request. Pre-distribution Initial Notification 6.04 An Eligible Distributor who intends to distribute seasoned corporate bonds or sukuk for the first time must— (a) register its interest at least seven business days prior to the submission of an Initial Notification as required in sub-paragraph (b); and (b) submit an Initial Notification to the SC at least two business days prior to the commencement date of distribution. 6.05 The registration of interest and Initial Notification referred to in paragraph 6.04 must be submitted in the manner, and contain all information and documents, as set out in Appendix 1 of these Guidelines. 6.06 The Initial Notification shall be accompanied by the relevant fees prescribed by the SC. Post-distribution Notification 6.07 An Eligible Distributor must notify the SC of any additional seasoned corporate bonds or sukuk that it has distributed which has not been notified to the SC. The notification must be made within seven business days following the end of every quarter (PostDistribution Notification). Where this relates to a distribution of seasoned corporate bonds or sukuk under a debt or sukuk programme, the notification must be made for each additional tranche.
11 6.08 Where a Post-Distribution Notification is made in relation to seasoned corporate bonds or sukuk distributed 12 months after the effective date of the Initial Notification, the Post-Distribution Notification shall be accompanied by the relevant fees prescribed by the SC. 6.09 The Post-Distribution Notification must contain all information and documents as set out in Appendix 2 of these Guidelines. Quarterly Reporting 6.10 An Eligible Distributor must submit to the SC a post-distribution quarterly report within seven business days following the end of every quarter in accordance with Appendix 3 of these Guidelines. Other Notifications 6.11 An Eligible Distributor must immediately notify the SC in accordance with Appendix 4 of these Guidelines once the Eligible Distributor becomes aware that the seasoned corporate bonds or sukuk are no longer eligible corporate bonds or sukuk under these Guidelines. 6.12 An Eligible Distributor must notify the SC not less than seven business days prior to its intention to cease distribution of seasoned corporate bonds or sukuk, in accordance with Appendix 5 of these Guidelines. Cessation of distribution becomes effective on the date specified in the notification. Chapter 7 DUTY OF AN ELIGIBLE DISTRIBUTOR TO ENSURE NO FALSE OR MISLEADING STATEMENT OR MATERIAL OMISSION 6.13 An Eligible Distributor must ensure that all information disclosed and announcements made by the Eligible Distributor pursuant to these Guidelines including any notification, report, information or document submitted to the SC contain no false or misleading statement or any material omission.
12 APPENDIX 1 INITIAL NOTIFICATION PART 1: REGISTRATION OF INTEREST TO DISTRIBUTE SEASONED CORPORATE BONDS OR SUKUK
13 (v) Date of authorisation or appointment, as the case may be, as an employee or agent who may distribute seasoned corporate bonds or sukuk; and (c) Any other information or documents as the SC may require from time to time. PART 3: DECLARATION BY ELIGIBLE DISTRIBUTOR (INITIAL NOTIFICATION) We, [Name of Eligible Distributor] are proposing to undertake the distribution of seasoned corporate bonds or sukuk as submitted on the platform, pursuant to the Guidelines on Seasoned Corporate Bonds and Sukuk (Guidelines). 2. We confirm that after having made all reasonable enquiries, and to the best of our knowledge and belief, there is no false or misleading statement contained in, or material omission from, the information that may be provided to investors or to the SC in relation to the above seasoned corporate bonds or sukuk. 3. We declare that we are satisfied, after having made all reasonable enquiries, that the seasoned corporate bonds or sukuk are in full compliance with the relevant requirements of the Guidelines. 4. We confirm that after having made all reasonable enquiries, and to the best of our knowledge and belief, the employees or agents engaged by us to distribute seasoned corporate bonds or sukuk have complied, and will continue to comply, with the relevant fit and proper requirements set out in the Capital Markets and Services Act 2007, these Guidelines or any other relevant guidelines issued by the SC. 5. We undertake to ensure continuous compliance with the requirements and the conditions imposed by the SC in relation to the distribution of seasoned corporate bonds or sukuk. In the event of any breach of the same, we undertake to suspend the distribution of such seasoned corporate bonds or sukuk. 6. We undertake to immediately inform the SC if it comes to our knowledge that any of the seasoned corporate bonds or sukuk distributed by us, or if any of our employees or
14 agents, no longer comply with any applicable requirements set out in the Guidelines at any time from the submission of this declaration. 7. We hereby declare that all information provided in this submission is true and accurate.
15 APPENDIX 2 POST-DISTRIBUTION NOTIFICATION OF ANY ADDITIONAL SEASONED CORPORATE BONDS OR SUKUK PART 1: INFORMATION AND DOCUMENTS TO BE SUBMITTED TO THE SC FOR ANY ADDITIONAL SEASONED CORPORATE BONDS OR SUKUK DISTRIBUTED
16 3. We declare that we are satisfied, after having made all reasonable enquiries, that the seasoned corporate bonds or sukuk are in full compliance with the relevant requirements of the Guidelines. 4. We confirm that after having made all reasonable enquiries, and to the best of our knowledge and belief, the employees or agents engaged by us to distribute seasoned corporate bonds or sukuk have complied, and will continue to comply, with the relevant fit and proper requirements set out in the Capital Markets and Services Act 2007, these Guidelines or any other relevant guidelines issued by the SC. 5. We undertake to ensure continuous compliance with the requirements and the conditions imposed by the SC in relation to the distribution of seasoned corporate bonds or sukuk. In the event of any breach of the same, we undertake to suspend the distribution of such seasoned corporate bonds or sukuk. 6. We undertake to immediately inform the SC if it comes to our knowledge that any of the seasoned corporate bonds or sukuk distributed by us, or if any of our employees or agents, no longer comply with any applicable requirements set out in the Guidelines at any time from the submission of this declaration. 7. We hereby declare that all information provided in this submission is true and accurate.
17 APPENDIX 3 QUARTERLY REPORTING PART 1: INFORMATION AND DOCUMENTS FOR QUARTERLY REPORTING
18 3. An Eligible Distributor must also submit any other information or documents as the SC may require from time to time. PART 2: DECLARATION BY ELIGIBLE DISTRIBUTOR (QUARTERLY REPORTING)* Notes:
19 APPENDIX 4 PART 1: NOTIFICATION ON NON-ELIGIBILITY OF SEASONED CORPORATE BONDS OR SUKUK
20 PART 2: DECLARATION OF NON-ELIGIBILITY OF SEASONED CORPORATE BONDS OR SUKUK We have undertaken the distribution of seasoned corporate bonds or sukuk as submitted on the platform pursuant to the Guidelines on Seasoned Corporate Bonds and Sukuk (Guidelines). 2. We hereby notify the Securities Commission Malaysia that, after having made all reasonable enquiries, the seasoned bonds and sukuk as listed out in this notification are no longer eligible seasoned corporate bonds and sukuk pursuant to the Guidelines. We therefore undertake to suspend any further distribution of such seasoned corporate bonds or sukuk. 3. We confirm and acknowledge that this suspension shall not operate so as to render void any agreement or arrangement entered into between us and our clients, or affect any right, obligation or liability arising from any such transaction or arrangement entered into as Distributor including any responsibility that we may have to assist with or effect any subsequent transfers or sales of such seasoned corporate bonds that were distributed prior to it becoming non-eligible. 4. We hereby declare that all information provided in this submission is true and accurate.
21 APPENDIX 5 NOTIFICATION TO CEASE DISTRIBUTION OF SEASONED CORPORATE BONDS OR SUKUK We, [Name of Eligible Distributor] intend to cease the distribution of seasoned corporate bonds or sukuk under the Guidelines on Seasoned Corporate Bonds and Sukuk (Guidelines) on [Cessation Date3 ]. 2. We confirm that we have taken all reasonable steps to notify our clients of our intention above and have taken adequate arrangements to meet all outstanding liabilities and obligations (if any) in respect of the relevant seasoned corporate bonds or sukuk. 3. The reason for cessation is ………………………………………………………………………………… 4. We confirm and acknowledge that this cessation shall not operate so as to render void any agreement or arrangement entered into between us and our clients, or affect any right, obligation or liability arising from any such transaction or arrangement entered into as Distributor. 5. We hereby declare that all information provided in this submission is true and accurate. 3 Cessation date should not be less than seven business days from the date of receipt of notice to the SC.
22 APPENDIX 6 FIT AND PROPER REQUIREMENTS In meeting the fit and proper standards as required under paragraph 4.02 of these Guidelines, an Eligible Distributor must ensure that the employee or agent involved in the distribution of seasoned corporate bonds or sukuk— (a) is not an undischarged bankrupt whether within or outside Malaysia; (b) does not have a judgment debt that has been returned unsatisfied in whole or in part; (c) has not been convicted, whether within or outside Malaysia, of an offence involving fraud or other dishonest act or violence or the conviction of which involved a finding that he acted fraudulently or dishonestly; (d) has not been convicted of an offence under securities laws or any law outside Malaysia relating to capital market; (e) has not been subjected to any action taken by the SC under section 354, 355 or 356 of the CMSA; (f) has not contravened any provision made by or under any written law whether within or outside Malaysia appearing to the SC to be enacted for protecting members of the public against financial loss due to dishonesty, incompetence or malpractice by persons concerned in the provision of financial services or the management of companies or against financial loss due to the conduct of discharged or undischarged bankrupts; (g) has not engaged in any business practices appearing to the SC to be deceitful or oppressive or which otherwise reflect discredit on his method of conducting business; and (h) has not been engaged in or associated with any other business practices or otherwise conducted himself in such a way as to cast doubt on his competence and soundness of judgment.