What are Additional Tier-1 (AT-1) Bonds?

Feb. 28, 2024

The State Bank of India (SBI) is unlikely to utilize the enabling provision to raise nearly Rs 11,900 crore through additional tier-I (AT-1) bonds due to pricing issues in the current fiscal.

About Additional Tier-1 (AT-1) Bonds:

AT-1 bonds are perpetual bonds with no maturity date.
Investors in these bonds do not get their principal back.
However, the interest continues forever. AT-1 bonds have a higher interest rate than other bonds.
Due to the perpetual nature of AT-1 bonds, these are often treated and viewed as equity, not debt.
How are AT-1 Bonds Issued?
- AT-1 bonds are issued by banks in accordance with the directions of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
- Financial institutions usually issue such bonds to fulfil their capital adequacy requirements (CAR).
- CAR is an assessment of a bank’s capital and its risk-weighted assets.
- Capital adequacy norms were formulated under the Basel III accord of 2009 after the credit crisis of 2008.
- The money raised through these bonds is kept aside as a shock absorber by the bank.
These bonds are contingent convertible bonds (CoCos), a type of debt instrument that the bank can convert into equity if its capital levels fall below the specified levels. This helps the bank reduce debt while managing capital.
AT-1 bonds have a call option, which allows the banks to buy back the bonds from the investors.
These bonds provide high returns but also carry greater risk.
- If the banking institution fails, these bonds are at risk.
- Suppose the RBI finds a bank in an unstable condition, under pressure, and in a situation where it demands rescue. In that case, it can ask the bank to immediately withdraw their AT-1 Bonds without seeking permission from the investors, therefore making AT-1 Bonds risky.
- Further, the issuer can also skip the interest payout if it is under financial stress.
Investors cannot return their bonds to the bank as there is no put option against these bonds. However, these bonds are listed on the stock exchanges, so the investor can liquidate them whenever needed.
Subordinate debt: In case of default, these bonds rank lower than the other debt, which is why these are subordinate debts.