Huishan Dairy says HSBC demanding repayment of $214 mln in loans

Image
Reuters
Last Updated : Sep 12 2017 | 11:22 AM IST

(Reuters) - Embattled China Huishan Dairy Holdings Co Ltd said HSBC was demanding the repayment of $214 million of loans following one or more counts of default.

The move adds to pressure on Huishan, which has held talks with creditors and regional government officials in China asking for help to roll over some loan facilities until it can plug a gap in its finances.

Huishan's woes came to light when its stock plunged 85 percent in March before being suspended. Since then most of its directors have quit, it has missed loan payments and lost contact with a key executive in charge of its finances and cash. It is also under investigation by the Hong Kong securities regulator.

HSBC told Huishan in two separate letters it had terminated different loans facilities from 2015 and 2014 and was asking for repayment, Huishan said in a securities filing late on Monday.

The loan facility from 2015 had a U.S. dollar tranche with $180 million in principal outstanding and another HK$156 million ($20 million) from a Hong Kong dollar tranche, with a deadline for the repayment three days from Monday.

HSBC demanded immediate repayment of $13.7 million for a separate 2014 loan, Huishan added.

Huishan said it is seeking legal advice on the letters.

HSBC declined to comment when contacted by Reuters on Tuesday.

($1 = 7.8131 Hong Kong dollars)

(Reporting by Elzio Barreto; Additional reporting by Anusha Ravindranath in Bengaluru and Sumeet Chatterjee in Hong Kong; Editing by Sai Sachin Ravikumar and Edwina Gibbs)

Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content

*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Sep 12 2017 | 11:03 AM IST

Next Story