We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Finance

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is a Bank Debenture?

Jim B.
By
Updated: May 16, 2024
Views: 15,097
Share

A bank debenture is a financial instrument issued by a bank to investors as a means of raising capital. The bank that issues a debenture agrees to make regular interest payments to the investor on what is essentially a loan from investor to the bank. At the conclusion of the term of the bank debenture, the bank returns the principal of the loan to the investor along with any remaining interest. Unlike a bond, a debenture is not secured by any specific collateral that the investor can claim upon default.

Even the largest financial institutions may need capital at some point to fund some sort of growth or new initiative. This funding may come on the highest level from other institutions and be far out of the reach of normal investors. On occasion, though, banks trying to raise money will reach out to average investors with long-term acknowledgments of debt that may be purchased on the open market. An investor who buys a bank debenture buys into this debt.

There are many similarities between a bank debenture and a bond, in that they both are debt instruments in which an average investor gives a loan to an institution and receives return of the principal plus interest payments. The main difference comes from the fact that debentures generally offer no collateral to the investor. This means that there is no guarantee to the investor upon purchasing the debenture that his investment capital may be returned to him.

In return for taking on this extra risk, the investor is generally pledged a higher rate of interest on a bank debenture than she would get from a bond. These interest payments are generally made by the bank throughout the life of the debenture agreement. If the investor finds a reliable bank to issue a debenture, the investment can be a safe way to generate significant returns. Unfortunately, scams have been associated with bank debentures in the past, so investors must do the proper research before proceeding.

For a bank, the advantage to a debenture compared with a bond is that the money owed to the investors is not tied down, meaning that the bank can use it to generate more funding. Should a bank default on its debenture obligations, investors holding the debt would have no claim on any of the bank's assets. In this case, the person holding a bank debenture would stand along with all other common investors and receive repayment only after the assets that are claimed by other organizations have been doled out.

Share
SmartCapitalMind is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Jim B.
By Jim B.
Freelance writer - Jim Beviglia has made a name for himself by writing for national publications and creating his own successful blog. His passion led to a popular book series, which has gained the attention of fans worldwide. With a background in journalism, Beviglia brings his love for storytelling to his writing career where he engages readers with his unique insights.
Discussion Comments
Jim B.
Jim B.
Freelance writer - Jim Beviglia has made a name for himself by writing for national publications and creating his own...
Learn more
Share
https://www.smartcapitalmind.com/what-is-a-bank-debenture.htm
Copy this link
SmartCapitalMind, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

SmartCapitalMind, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.