Sebi puts in place new form for ASBA

With a checklist regime kicking in for IPOs, capital markets regulator Sebi today put in place a new form for ASBA (Application Supported by Blocked Amount) facility.
ASBA facility has become mandatory for all categories of investors applying for a public issue for making payment from today.
The facility allows the bid amount to remain in the applicants account till the time the shares are finally alloted.
In a circular, Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) said that the application form for ASBA would be printed in a booklet form of A4 size paper.
Besides, Sebi has prescribed white color form for Resident Indian, NRIs applying on a non repatriation basis and blue color form for NRIs, Foreign Venture Capital Investor, Foreign Institutional Investors, their Sub-Accounts (other than sub-accounts which are foreign corporates or foreign individuals bidding under the QIB Portion), on a repatriation basis.

It further said that top of the application form will have a colored identifier strap incorporating the name of the issuer, ISIN (An International Securities Identification Number) and type of form (Repatriation, Non-Repatriation).

Besides, the main application should have information about eight digit application number, PAN number, bidders depository account details, investor category, among others.
A confirmation by the applicant (on behalf of joint bidders) that he/she has read, understood and agrees to such confirmations is also required.
The regulator said that application should also highlight about different category of investors (retail, non institutional and QIBs), number of equity shares (reservation if applicable), percentage of issue available for allotment, basis of allocation in case of over-subscription, mode of allotment and terms of payment.

The new circular will be applicable for all public issues opening on or after January 1, 2016, Sebi said.
The regulator, in August, had made ASBA facility mandatory for all categories of investors applying for a public issue.
In order to enhance the points for submission of applications, Sebi had also allowed Registrar and Share Transfer Agents (RTAs) and Depository Participants (DPs) to accept application forms (both physical as well as online) and make bids on the stock exchange platform.
This will be over and above the stock brokers and banks where such facilities are presently available.
The number of bank branches with ASBA facility has now increased to about 95,500, from 9,800 when this facility was introduced.