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Subordination Agreement
"I need a subordination agreement for a real estate transaction involving a $500,000 loan, subordinating a second mortgage to a new first mortgage, with a 10-year term and 5% interest rate."
What is a Subordination Agreement?
A Subordination Agreement lets one creditor voluntarily step back and give priority to another creditor's claim on the same asset. In Saudi banking, these agreements help structure complex financing deals that comply with both Shariah law and the Kingdom's Commercial Pledge Law.
For example, when multiple banks finance a major construction project in Riyadh, they might use a Subordination Agreement to establish which lender gets paid first from the project's revenues. This creates clear payment hierarchies, reduces risk for senior lenders, and helps borrowers access additional funding while maintaining their existing credit relationships.
When should you use a Subordination Agreement?
Use a Subordination Agreement when arranging multi-lender financing deals in Saudi Arabia, particularly when new creditors require priority over existing debt. This commonly occurs during business expansion, real estate development, or when securing additional working capital while maintaining Shariah compliance.
The timing is crucial for major transactions like infrastructure projects or commercial real estate developments in the Kingdom. Banks and investors often require these agreements before releasing funds, especially when dealing with multiple financing tiers. Getting the agreement in place early helps avoid delays in funding disbursement and ensures smooth coordination between Islamic and conventional financing structures.
What are the different types of Subordination Agreement?
- Attornment And Non Disturbance Agreement: Primarily used in commercial leasing, protecting tenants' rights while acknowledging a new lender's priority position
- Deed Of Subordination: A formal deed structure preferred for complex corporate financing arrangements, especially in Shariah-compliant transactions
- Real Estate Subordination Agreement: Specifically designed for property developments and mortgages, establishing clear priority rankings between multiple property financiers
Who should typically use a Subordination Agreement?
- Banks and Financial Institutions: Draft and enforce Subordination Agreements as primary or secondary lenders, particularly in Shariah-compliant financing structures
- Corporate Borrowers: Sign these agreements when seeking additional financing while maintaining existing credit relationships
- Legal Counsel: Review and customize agreements to ensure compliance with Saudi commercial and Islamic banking laws
- Real Estate Developers: Use these agreements when structuring tiered financing for major development projects
- Investment Companies: Participate as subordinated lenders in complex financing arrangements, often in conjunction with traditional banks
How do you write a Subordination Agreement?
- Identify All Parties: Gather full legal names and registration details of all lenders, borrowers, and guarantors involved
- Debt Documentation: Collect copies of existing loan agreements, their terms, and current outstanding amounts
- Priority Structure: Define the exact ranking order of debts and payment arrangements in clear terms
- Shariah Compliance: Ensure the agreement aligns with Islamic finance principles and Saudi banking regulations
- Security Details: List all collateral, assets, or guarantees involved in the subordinated debts
- Approval Requirements: Obtain necessary corporate authorizations and board resolutions from all parties
What should be included in a Subordination Agreement?
- Party Details: Full legal names, registration numbers, and authorized signatories of all creditors and debtors
- Debt Description: Precise details of senior and subordinated debts, including amounts and payment terms
- Priority Rights: Clear statement of payment rankings and creditor priorities under Shariah principles
- Default Provisions: Specific actions and remedies available upon payment default
- Governing Law: Reference to Saudi Commercial Courts and applicable banking regulations
- Payment Terms: Detailed mechanics of permitted payments and restrictions on subordinated debt
- Termination Conditions: Circumstances under which the agreement ends or can be modified
What's the difference between a Subordination Agreement and a Bond Issuance Agreement?
A Subordination Agreement differs significantly from a Bond Issuance Agreement in several key aspects, though both play crucial roles in Saudi Arabia's debt financing landscape. While Subordination Agreements establish priority rankings between different creditors, Bond Issuance Agreements focus on the initial creation and terms of debt securities.
- Primary Purpose: Subordination Agreements rearrange existing debt priorities, while Bond Issuance Agreements create new debt instruments
- Timing of Use: Subordination Agreements typically come into play after initial financing exists, whereas Bond Issuance Agreements mark the start of a new debt offering
- Party Structure: Subordination involves multiple existing creditors adjusting their rights, while Bond Issuance primarily involves an issuer and initial bondholders
- Shariah Compliance: Bond Issuance Agreements must structure the entire instrument as Shariah-compliant from the start, while Subordination Agreements simply modify existing priorities
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