Issue and Redemption of Debentures

The word ‘debenture’ is derived from the Latin word ‘debere’ which refers to borrow. A debenture is a written tool acknowledging a debt under the general authentication of the enterprise. It comprises of an agreement for repayment of principal after a specific period or at the option of the enterprise and for payment of interest at a fixed rate due to, usually either yearly on fixed dates. According to the section 2(30) of The Companies Act, 2013 ‘Debenture’ comprises of Debenture Inventory, Bonds and any other securities of an enterprise whether comprising a charge on the assets of the enterprise or not.

Issue of Debentures

The issue of Debentures is similar to the issue of shares by an enterprise. Here the money can be either collected lump-sum or in installments. The accounting treatment of the 2 is absolutely similar. Now, the debentures can be circulated for cash or some other application. At times circulation of debentures is done as collateral security.

Redemption of Debentures

Redemption of debentures refers to the repayment of these debentures by the company to the debenture holders. So the company will discharge its liability and remove it from the balance sheet. This is a major transaction for the company since the amount of money involved tends to be quite significant.

There are a few ways in which this redemption of shares can take place. These methods all have different accounting treatment as well. So let us take a look at the various methods of redemption of debentures.

Debentures are debt instruments. Hence when their period expires, debenture holders are paid back their principal amount. This process of discharging the company’s debt is known as the redemption of debentures. Let us learn more about the various methods of redemption of debentures and their accounting treatments.

Lump Sum Method

This method as the name suggests is a one-time payment method. Here the company will repay the whole amount in one lump sum payment to the debenture holders. The amount and the date of the payment will be according to the terms of issue.

Since the company knows the date of the repayment in advance they can plan their finances accordingly. So they make provisions to pay the debenture holders. So as per the provisions of the Companies Act and the SEBI guidelines the company has to make provisions for such a debenture. And hence the company sets up a special account known as the Debenture Redemption Reserve.

This debenture redemption reserve is a capital reserve account. It is funded by the divisible profits of each year, i.e. a portion of the profits are set aside for this purpose. This account can only be utilized for the purpose of redemption of debentures and for no other purpose.

Installment Method

This is also known as the drawing of lots method. Here the company will start redeeming debentures in lots or installments from one particular year as agreed by the terms of issue.

If the Debentures are redeemed from profits

Conversion Method

A company may opt to not pay the debenture holders at the time of redemption. Instead of that, it can convert the debentures into a new class of debentures or even equity shares. Such debentures are known as convertible debentures. Such new debentures or shares can be issued at par, premium or even discount.

Debentures converted to a new class of debentures

Debentures converted to Equity Shares

Debentures converted to shares at a premium

Purchasing Method

In this method, the company will buy its debentures from the open market and then immediately cancel them. This is known as the purchase from the open market. This way the company can defer the redemption till it is suitable to them. Also if they buy the debentures for a discount they can make additional benefits/profits as well.

When debentures are purchased for a premium

When debentures are purchased at a discount