Businesses may need to raise money in the course of its operations. When a company applies for a loan from a bank or other institutions, it will often give security to the creditor. One common form of security is a charge over assets.
Definition of a Charge
A charge is a form of security interest usually taken by a lender or creditor (“chargee”) to secure repayment of a loan.
Types of Charges
| Fixed Charge |
A charge secured on fixed assets (e.g. land and buildings, a ship, piece of machinery, shares, intellectual property such as copyrights, patents, trade marks, etc.) |
| Floating Charge |
A charge secured on non-specific assets or generic categories (e.g. inventory, cash, stocks, accounts receivable).
A floating charge ‘floats’ over the secured assets. It is only converted into a fixed charge if, for example, the company fails to repay the loan.
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Registering a New Charge
When a charge is created, it must be registered with ACRA.
The following charges must be registered:
- a charge to secure any issue of debentures
- a charge on uncalled share capital of a company
- a charge on shares of a subsidiary of a company which are owned by the company
- a charge or an assignment created or evidenced by an instrument which, if executed by an individual, would require registration as a bill of sale
- a charge on land wherever situate or any interest therein
- a charge on book debts of the company
- a floating charge on the undertaking or property of a company
- a charge on calls made but not paid
- a charge on a ship or aircraft or any share in a ship or aircraft
- a charge on goodwill, on a patent or licence under a patent, on a trade mark, or on a copyright or a licence under a copyright
The full list of charges and rules governing registration of charges can be found in sections 131 to 141 of Division 8 of the Companies Act.
Who Must Register
Registering a charge applies to all Singapore-registered local and foreign companies.
When to Register
A charge must be registered within 30 days of its creation.
How to Register
Engage the services of a registered filing agent (e.g. law firm, accounting firm or corporate secretarial firm) to submit an online application on the company’s behalf.Company Officers may submit the filing. Alternatively, the company director may submit the filing.
After Registering
Application will be processed and approved after submission. ACRA will send an email notification confirming the registration of the charge. The email notification will serve as conclusive evidence that the company has complied with the requirements.
Possible Outcomes of Late Registration
Failure to register the charge is an offence. If convicted, company officers may be fined up to S$1,000. Non-compliance may also render the charge void against the liquidator or other secured creditors of the company.
Charge Created in Singapore
Extension of time is not allowed for charge instruments created in Singapore. If the company did not register the charge within 30 days, the company will have to obtain a Court Order under section 137 of the Companies Act for the time for registration to be extended, and register the charge within the extended period of time granted by the Court.
Charge Created Outside Singapore
Extension of time is allowed for charge instruments created outside Singapore. If the company did not register the charge within 37 days, the company will have to apply to ACRA under section 139 of the Companies Act for an extension of time to register the charge. ACRA will grant an extension of time of 30 days for the company to register the charge.
Variation of Charge
A variation of charge is an agreement to vary the terms of the original charge (e.g. a variation of the amount secured or the chargee). The transaction must be done through BizFile+ . No fee is payable for filing this transaction.
Satisfaction of Charge
When a debt for which the charge was given has been paid in whole or in part, the company needs to file with ACRA via BizFile+, a statement of satisfaction of the debt in order to release the charge. Upon successful filing, the charge will be removed from the register.
Companies may engage a registered filing agent to assist in filing the statement of satisfaction ('Satisfaction of Charge') with ACRA. There is no filing fee for this transaction.