BLM71401 - ’Income-into-capital� schemes and back loaded leases: 'Income-into-capital' schemes: Purchase options: object of the purchase option

In an ‘income-into-capitalâ€� scheme the Borrower wants (in substance) to borrow money. In broad terms, it does this by selling an asset for a capital sum and buying it back at the end of the ‘loanâ€� period. »Ê¹ÚÌåÓýapp Borrower gets cash at the outset and repays it when the option is exercised.

In the case of real property, to obtain the ‘loan�, the Borrower can do one of three things:

  • sell its freehold interest to the Bank; or
  • grant an estate out of its freehold interest to the Bank, usually a ‘longâ€� lease (more than fifty years);
  • grant a leasehold interest out of its (longer) leasehold interest.

In the case of other property (such as chattels machinery and plant where the kit is not part of a real property interest) the Borrower will sell its entire interest in the asset.

»Ê¹ÚÌåÓýapp amount Bank pays (as the option price) to Borrower for the interest in the asset is the amount of money it ‘loansâ€� (this is the substance, not the legal form, of the deal).

»Ê¹ÚÌåÓýapp Bank may be:

  • a bank; or
  • a subsidiary of a bank which is:
  • a trading company; or
  • an investment company;
  • a company not associated with a bank.

»Ê¹ÚÌåÓýapp normal case is that the lessor is generally an investment company which is a subsidiary of a major bank.