Section 186 of Companies Act - Loan and Investment by Companies



Quick Summary
Section 186 of the Companies Act governs loans, guarantees, and investments made by companies. There are specific limits based on paid-up capital and reserves. If these limits are exceeded, a special resolution and board approval are required. Companies engaged in financing or investment activities, or holding companies lending to wholly-owned subsidiaries for principal business, may be exempt from certain requirements. Non-compliance can result in significant fines and potential imprisonment.

To Give

  • Loan / Guarantee / security to any person / Body corporate OR
  • Guarantee / security in connection with loan taken by person / body corporate
  • Acquire shares of any Body corporate (Investment cannot be from more than 2 layers of investment companies)
Companies Act: Loans and Investments by Companies Explained

If the aggregate of all such exceeds

  • 60% of paid-up capital + free reserves + Securities premium OR
  • 100% of free reserves + Securities premium
  • Whichever is more.

Then any new loan / guarantee / security shall require

  • All directors have to approve resolution in Board meeting
  • Prior approval of Public financial institution in case of term loan.
  • Pass special resolution to give any further such loan / guarantee / security. (Explanatory statement shall mention full details of loan / guarantee / security, and purpose.
  • Interest rate shall be at least prevailing yield of government security (1 / 3 / 5 / 10 years)

Exemption

  • Co engaged in financing / investment can lend / invest in regular course of business without special resolution.
  • If given by Holding company to wholly owned subsidiary company for its principal business activities.
 

Compliance

  • Disclose full particulars in the financial statements
  • Maintain register of such Loan / Guarantee / security
  • MGT 14 has to be filed within 30 days of Special resolution
 

Fines for contravention

  • Co: Min 25,000. Max 5 lacs.
  • Every officer in default – imprisonment of up to 2 years or fine Min 25,000. Max 1 lacs.

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About the Author

CA

Proprietor of R.Sethia Associates, Chartered accountants. CA year 2000. Experience in Banking, Corporate law, Manufacturing cos systems and audit, Income Tax etc.

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