An indenture is a particular formal contract or deed made between two or more parties. Beginning in medieval England, an indenture can be defined as a specific agreement within a contract noted with a specific duration or significance.
The terms of the Indenture are tailored to reflect the specific type of transaction and issuer. Like credit agreements,1 an Indenture contains lending and repayment terms. In contrast to credit agreements, however, the lender is not a party to an Indenture.
The terms of the Indenture are tailored to reflect the specific type of transaction and issuer. Like credit agreements,1 an Indenture contains lending and repayment terms. In contrast to credit agreements, however, the lender is not a party to an Indenture.
A credit indenture is the underlying contract agreement that details all of the provisions and clauses associated with a credit offering. In unsecured, uncollateralized bond offerings, these indentures can also be called debentures.
The credit agreement usually carries a term of five years or less; the indenture is usually seven to ten years in duration. The credit agreement can be, and often is, amended with some regularity; the indenture may only be amended by consent solicitation, which is costly and time consuming.
The Indenture pledges certain revenues as security for repayment of the Bonds. The Trustee agrees to act on behalf of the holders of the Bonds and to represent their interests.
The bond indenture is a legal document that defines the terms of the bond issue including the rights of bondholders; the bond certificate provides details about the bond being issued including the financial elements of the bond.
The other critical distinction between a credit agreement and a high yield indenture is the time horizon of the instrument and flexibility to amend it once issued. The credit agreement usually carries a term of five years or less; the indenture is usually seven to ten years in duration.