Compared with previous rules regarding debt provisioning, the Measures introduces greater flexibility in making the minimum 1% of year-end balance of risk assets a guideline rather than a mandatory requirement. It changes the nature of general provisions allocated from one of pre-tax deduction to a post-tax distribution of profit. The Measures allows financial institutions to set aside two types of loan loss provisions: specific provisions and special provisions. Further requirements for other categories of the asset impairment provisions, for instance bad debt provisions and provisions for impaired long-term investments, are also in place.
The Circular allows domestic residents to set up offshore financing platform by means of special purpose companies and to participate in various equity financing activities through reverse acquisition, equity transfer, convertible bonds in international financial market. The Circular also stipulates the relevant registration and administration procedures for special purpose companies and remittance of profits, dividends, liquidation proceeds, equity transfer proceeds, and capital reduction proceeds.
The Tentative Measures provides for investments in government bonds, financial bonds and enterprise/corporate bonds. It also specifically stipulates on new bond products as commercial bank financial bonds, international development organization renminbi bonds and short term financing bonds. In its risk control efforts, the Tentative Measures requires the establishment of a sound bond investment risk control system with a precise, scientific and effective business operation flow, a credit risk evaluation system for bond issuing parties and bonds, and an independent third-party custody system.
China cross-border venture capital activity and overseas listings should soon be reinvigorated by the issuance of a new circular by China's State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE).
New regulations dictating the investment of funds under the management of China's insurance companies will benefit consumers and the capital market alike, offering more diverse investment opportunities in tandem with more stringent risk management guidelines.
In addition to elaborating the Tentative Measures for the Administration of Overseas Utilization of Foreign Exchange Insurance Funds, the Implementation Rules further establish the basic management structure, duties and responsibilities, their basic operations and management procedures, and their selection following market-oriented principles for the insurance company (the entrusting party), the investment management institution (the entrusted party) and the commercial bank (the custodian). The Implementing Rules also add new overseas products such as structured deposits, mortgaged-backed securities and money market funds. It also introduces independent third parties in supervising funds flow, internal control mechanisms, accounting, credit rating and assets evaluation.
Curbing non-performing debts on the books of China's financial institutions remains one of the economy's most pressing concerns. To this end, the Ministry of Finance has issued measures requiring financial institutions to set aside provisions for debts based on their underlying risks.