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Laws and Regulations Database of the Central Bank of the Republic of China-Article Content

Title:Directions for the Sales and Buybacks of Central Government Bonds Open new window for Chinese

Announced Date:May 22, 1998

Date:Amended on January 17, 2014(effective from January 22, 2014)

[Law Basis] [Print]

Chapter 1  General Provisions
1.These Directions are specially prescribed by the Central Bank of the Republic of 
 China (Taiwan) (“hereinafter called the Bank") for the purposes of managing the 
 sales and buybacks of central government bonds.
 Except where otherwise provided by laws, central government bonds shall be sold 
 by means of auctions, placements, or consigned sales, and bought back by means of 
 competitive bidding. Auctions and buybacks shall be conducted electronically on-
 line; the directions for electronic bidding procedures will be adopted separately.
2.Particulars of issues and buybacks of central government bonds such as the issue 
 name, type, form, serial number, method, date, amount, coupon rate, face value,   
 as well as maturity terms and method for payment of principal and interest shall 
 be handled pursuant to the offering announcement provided by the Ministry of 
 Finance. 

Chapter 2  Commissioning of Central Government Bond Dealers
3.Banks, Chunghwa Post Co., Ltd., bills finance companies, securities firms, and 
 insurance enterprises which meet the following criteria may, in accordance with 
 these Directions, apply to the Department of the Treasury of the Bank 
 (hereinafter called “the Department of the Treasury ") for being delegated as 
 central government bond dealers (hereinafter called “dealers") to participate in
 auctions,placements and buybacks of central government bonds:
(1)The applicant, unless an insurance enterprise, has received approval from the 
   competent securities authority to trade government securities in an over-the-
   counter market on its own account.
(2)Net income after taxes in the latest fiscal year.
(3)Paid-in capital equals to or more than NT$1 billion and net worth per share 
   above par value.
 Any financial institution having been delegated by the Bank to handle bond 
 operations prior to the adoption of these Directions may apply to the Bank in 
 writing for being delegated as a dealer.
4.When applying to be delegated as a dealer, the applicant shall fill out a Central
 Government Bond Dealer Application Form (Form 1) and attach a copy of the
 relevant certificates and licenses and documents for verification of financial
 status, and submit them to the Department of the Treasury . 
 Applications may be approved by the Bank based on need as determined by
 bond market development.
5.After being delegated by the Bank, a dealer shall fill out an“Application
 for Participation in On-line Bidding for Central Government Bonds and Treasury
 Certificates" and submit it to the Department of the Treasury along with a sample 
 seal impression card. The institution shall also immediately prepare system on-
 line connections and complete testing of on-line connections within two months 
 from the date of being delegated as a dealer. Where an institution fails to 
 complete the preparations within the prescribed time period, the Bank may revoke
 its qualification as a dealer. 
 The applicant shall immediately apply by letter for amendments in the event of
 any change in the information contained in the materials referred to in the
 preceding Paragraph. 

Chapter 3  Sale of Central Government Bonds
6.Central government bonds are issued principally through auctions, and are open to
 dealers only. However, the Bank may notify dealers to handle placements, when 
 necessary.
 Individuals and juristic persons may engage dealers to submit bids under the dealers’ 
 names. The small investor may apply to buy Central government bonds in accordance 
 with the offering announcement provided by the Ministry of Finance and the Directions
 for Consigned and Sub-consigned Sales of Central Government Bonds by the Chunghwa 
 Post Co., Ltd.
7.Either multiple or single price or yield method may be adopted for auctioning
 central government bond.
 Multiple price and yield bids are classified as either competitive or
 noncompetitive: 
 (1)Competitive bids will be accepted successively, starting with those at the
    price higher than the minimum price or lower than the maximum acceptable
    yield set by the Ministry of Finance. Where bid prices are equal and the
    remainder of the issue is insufficient to meet demand, allocations will be
    made pro-rata to the bid amounts. The prices for awarded bonds are
    calculated at the price or the yield they bid. 
 (2)Noncompetitive bid will be calculated as the weighted average price or yield
    of accepted competitive bids . Where the amount of subscription exceeds the
    publicly announced amount of the issue, distributions will be made pro-rata
    based on the subscription amount. 
 The awards referred to in the preceding Paragraph will be in multiples of NT$50
 million. 
 All single-price or yield bids will be competitive; the determination and
 proration of awards shall be handled according to the previous two paragraphs 
 applied mutatis mutandis. The price for awarded bonds is calculated at the 
 lowest price or the highest yield of the accepted bids. 
8.If multiple-yield method is used for interest-bearing bonds auctions, yield is
 set at increments of 0.125%, equal to or closest to, but lower than the weighted
 average yield of the winning bids. 
 If single-yield method is used for interest-bearing bonds auctions, yield is set
 at increments of 0.125%, equal to or closest to,but lower than the highest yield
 of the winning bids.
9.Dealers will be restricted to submitting one tender for each offering, on which
 there may be no more than ten competitive bids, and to only one subscription 
 hrough a non-competitive bid. Competitive bidding and non-competitive
 subscriptions may use only the tender document prescribed by the Treasury
 Department, which shall be placed in a sealed envelope for submission.
10.Tenders shall be filled out in accordance with the following provisions: 
  (1)Business administrative number shall be the same as that originally 
    submitted to the Department of the Treasury for filing. 
  (2)Minimum bid amount for each competitive bid shall be NT$100 million.
    Minimum subscription amount for non-competitive bids shall be NT$50
    million. Amounts in excess of those figures will be calculated in
    increments of NT$50 million. Maximum competitive bid amount and maximum
    non-competitive subscription amount shall not exceed the limit announced 
    by the Ministry of Finance. 
11.Any of the following circumstances will result in a tender being deemed void: 
  (1)A tender not submitted in the format prescribed by the Department of the 
    Treasury . 
  (2)A tender not delivered in a sealed envelope. 
  (3)The seal of the dealer not complying with the sample seal impression. 
  (4)The number of tenders exceeds the prescribed number. 
  (5)Other circumstances not in conformance with bidding regulations. 
  Under any of the following circumstances, a bid will be considered void: 
  (1)The bid price or yield not written in Arabic numerals or having been
    altered or illegible. 
  (2)The bid amount or subscription amount not written in Arabic numerals or
    having been altered or illegible. 
  (3)Minimum bid amount for a competitive bid or minimum subscription amount
    for a noncompetitive bid lower than those prescribed in subparagraph 2,
    Direction 10. 
12.The time and place for an auction shall be given in the offering announcement
  of the Ministry of Finance. 
13.Auctions and determination of auction awards will be carried out in accordance
  with the law prescribed by the Bank and the Ministry of Finance. The auction 
  results will be announced by the Bank. 
14.The distribution of auction awards to individual dealers in competitive or non-
  competitive auctions may not exceed the limits announced by the Ministry of
  Finance.
15.Where a portion of the offering remains unsold after an auction, that portion
  may be handled by placement at the non-competitive bid price or the price
  publicly announced by the Ministry of Finance or by a re-auction at another time.
16.On the business day next following the date of auction, each dealer shall
  dispatch an employee to the Department of the Treasury to collect the notice of 
  awards, unaccepted bids, and invalid bids. 
17.Successful bidders shall settle on the prescribed date.
  The settlement of book-entry government bonds shall be performed in accordance 
  with applicable provisions of the Directions for the Operation of Book-Entry 
  Central Government Securities.
  For the settlement of government bonds in physical forms, dealers shall make out 
  a collection list and shall draw a check with the Department of Banking of the 
  Bank as the drawee or a promissory note payable by the Department of Banking of 
  the Bank (with the maturity date corresponding to the issue date of government 
  bonds), or transfer funds into the account of the Department of the Treasury in 
  the Department of Banking through the Central Bank Interbank Funds System, and 
  collect the bond certificates from the Bank.

Chapter 4  Buybacks of Central Government Bonds
18.The buybacks of central government bonds are open to dealers only. Individuals 
  and other juristic persons may engage dealers to submit bids under the dealers’
  names.
19.The buybacks of central government bonds may use a multiple-yield, or a single-
  yield auction mechanism. All bids are competitive.
  Multiple-yield bids will be accepted successively, starting with those at yields 
  higher than the minimum acceptable yield set. Where competing bid yields are   
  equal and the remaining buyback amount is insufficient to meet the demand, 
  allocations will be made pro-rata based on the bid amounts. Successful bidders 
  shall settle their sellback securities at the yields they bid.
  The provisions in Paragraph 2 shall apply mutatis mutandis to the competitive 
  bidding and allocation method in single-yield auctions. Successful bidders shall 
  settle their sellback securities at the lowest yield of the accepted bids.
20.Dealers shall use only the sellback tender document prescribed by the 
  Department of the Treasury and submit the bids in a manner prescribed in 
  Direction 9 for competitive bidding.
21.The sellback tenders shall be filled out in accordance with the provisions in 
  Direction 10.However, the minimum for each competitive bid shall be NT$1 million
  and bids in excess of NT$1 million will be in increments of NT$1 million.
  The provisions in Direction 11 shall apply mutatis mutandis to sellback tenders 
  deemed void.
  The provisions in Direction 12, Direction 13 and Direction 16 shall apply 
  mutatis mutandis to the time and place of an auction as well as the 
  determination of auction awards.
22.Successful bidders shall carry out settlement on the buyback date of central 
  government bonds.
  Settlement for the buyback of central government bonds shall be performed in
  accordance with applicable provisions of the Operational Directions for Book-
  Entry Central Government Securities.

Chapter 5  Regulation of Central Government Bond Dealers
23.Dealers shall abide by the following provisions: 
 (1)Participate in each central government bond auction. 
 (2)Participate in placements of government bonds pursuant to the Bank’s 
    notification. 
 (3)Submit bids at prices or yields in line with the market conditions at 
    central government bond auctions.
 (4)File the following documents to the Department of the Treasury in accordance 
    with the prescribed deadline. The Bank may, when necessary, dispatch 
    personnel to perform on-site inspections: 
  i. Submit bidding status reports on the second business day after each auction 
    of central government bonds( Form 2 ).
  ii. Submit monthly statements of central government bond holdings in the 
    preceding month before the second business day of each month ( Form 3 ). 
 iii. With the exception of insurance enterprises, submit yearly statements of 
    government bond trading each year by the end of January (Form 4 ). 
  iv. Submit yearly financial reports with a letter within four months after the 
    end of each accounting year.
    Financial reports of private institutions must 
    be duly audited and certified by certified public accountants, approved by 
    the board of directors and acknowledged by the supervisors. However, public
    institutions may submit their reports with a letter on a provisional basis 
    pending finally approved by the auditing agency and then resubmit their 
    reports when approved.
 (5)Perform matters relating to electronic on-line bidding in accordance with 
    the applicable regulations.
24.Under any of the following circumstances, the Bank may issue a letter of 
  notification to dealers requesting rectification: 
  (1)Failure to participate in auction or placement of bonds. 
  (2)Participate in auctions with all bids invalid. 
  (3)Submit Competitive bids at prices or yields significantly below or above
    prevailing bond market conditions. 
  (4)Failure to submit relevant documents truthfully within the prescribed
    period of time. 
  (5)Failure to perform matters relating to electronic on-line bidding in
    accordance with the applicable regulations. 
  (6)Failure to comply with Central Bank regulations related to government bonds
    .
25.Under any of the following circumstances, the Bank may consider requiring a dealer to post a 
  deposit: 
  (1) Without positive net income after taxes in the latest fiscal year.
  (2) Where a dealer’s actual paid-in capital is below NT$1 billion or net worth per share is 
    below par value. 
  The deposit referred to in the preceding Paragraph shall only be offset by book-entry 
  central government securities with the performance of public guarantee registration.
  Where a dealer fails to post a deposit within the prescribed period of time and in the 
  prescribed manner or a deposit posted is insufficient, the Bank may suspend its 
  participation in auctions until the deposit is made or replenished.
  A successful bidder who fails to deliver the payment for central government bonds and thus 
  causes the price of the second auction being lower than the original price shall be liable 
  for the difference and any expenses from the second auction. 
  The difference and any expenses referred to in the preceding paragraph shall be guaranteed 
  and paid off in a deposit posted pursuant to paragraph 1; if there is any shortfall, a 
  successful bidder shall still be liable for it.
  Under any of the following circumstances and without the difference and any expenses 
  payable, a dealer may request the Bank to return its deposit posted in accordance with 
  paragraph 1; where there is payment in accordance with the preceding paragraph, the return 
  of the balance may only be requested: 
  (1) A dealer having been free of any of circumstances prescribed in the Subparagraphs of the 
    Paragraph 1.
  (2) The dealer’s commission having been terminated by the Bank.
26.Where any of the following circumstances have occurred with respect to a dealer
  within the past year, the Bank may impose a one-time suspension of its 
  participation in auction: 
  (1)Competitive bids at prices or yields significantly deviating from
    prevailing bond market conditions three times or more. 
  (2)Failure to submit relevant documents truthfully within the prescribed
    period of time three times or more. 
  (3)Other failure to handle the business related to government bonds in
    accordance with Central Bank regulations three times or more.
27.Where any of the following circumstances have occurred with respect to a dealer
  within the past year, the Bank may impose a two-time suspension of its
  participation in an auction: 
  (1) Fail to participate in auctions or placements of bonds two times or more. 
  (2) Participate in auctions with all bids invalid three times or more.
28.In any of the following circumstances, the Bank may terminate the dealer’s 
  commission:
 (1)Failure to deliver the government bonds or the payment for government bonds 
    on the prescribed date.
 (2)Part of business having been suspended by the central competent authority, 
    rendering it unable to participate in auctions. 
 (3)Having been placed under conservatorship or taken over by personnel sent 
    from the central competent authority.
 (4)Having been suspended by the central competent authority.
 (5)The accumulated annual amount of the accepted competitive bids having not reached
    to the limits announced by the Ministry of Finance. 
  In any circumstances in Subparagraphs 1 and 5 of the proceeding Paragraph, a dealer may 
  resubmit an application pursuant to the provisions of these Directions three years 
  after the termination of its commission.
29.A dealer that intends to terminate commission on its own cause shall notify the
  Department of the Treasury in writing two weeks prior to the planned date of 
  withdrawal. 
30.The  Bank may assess dealers on a non-periodic basis with regard to
  matters carried out pursuant to these Directions through use of the Form for
  Assessment of Dealers Performance in Government Bond Matters (Form 5), and issue
  commendations to those with outstanding performance records. 
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