Maximizing your infrastructure finance project with a full suite trustee and agent 

Project finance is complex, involving many counterparties, various risks and often significant financial investments. Learn how partnering with a global corporate trustee can help you navigate these intricate transactions.

Each infrastructure finance deal is unique, with its own specific structure, challenges and requirements. The instruments used will dictate what type of services you’ll need. Some circumstances might call for multiple service providers, but a more ideal solution is to find one provider that can perform all necessary roles.

 

Roles of a trustee and agent

Due to the labor-intensive nature of project finance transactions, the trustee and agent play a key role in managing communication between various stakeholders. Working with a full-suite corporate trustee can add value, significantly enhancing the operational efficiency of the project. Whether the infrastructure asset is financed by loan or note issuance, having a partner that can provide the full breadth of roles can help ensure seamless servicing throughout the life of the project.

 

Roles that may be required on the financing include:

• Facility/loan/administrative agent – primary contact between the borrower and lenders for information and cash movement
• Trustee – protects investor interests
• Noteholder agent – primary contact for information and proceeds on note issuance, including privately placed notes
• Collateral/security agent – holds security for the benefit of creditors
• Intercreditor agent – coordinates different classes of creditors
• Account bank – holds project accounts and manages transaction cash
• Escrow agent – holds escrow proceeds if required for an asset financing
• Common depository – holds cleared notes within clearing systems (Euroclear/Clearstream, DTC)
• Settlement agent – primary contact for security eligibility with clearing systems, and facilitates security movement between investors and issuer/borrower on closing
• Paying agent – facilitates payment of debt service proceeds to investors
   

Rely on a full-service partner

Appointing a third-party trustee and agent to perform all roles can produce numerous efficiencies and benefits. Some of these include the following:

Coordination of multiple stakeholders and workstreams

• Onboarding
• Account and deal setup
• Documentation

Assistance for investors at every stage of the project lifecycle

• Coordination of complex project consents, waivers and amendments
• Project monitoring
• Proactive collection and distribution of project information and covenants

Streamlined operations

• Pricing synergies for being appointed on multiple roles
• Engagement of a single law firm for the trustee and agent
• Enhanced internal and external communication
   

Trusted expertise

Service providers vary greatly in terms of size, specialization and experience. For a successful relationship, investors should look for a highly rated financial institution that is appropriately licensed in all necessary jurisdictions.

Finding a partner with extensive experience servicing all debt vehicles can help guide your decision-making with strategic insights and proactive solutions.

Infrastructure finance projects become less complex and more manageable when you work with a reputable, independent partner for your debt administration needs.

 

U.S. Bank administers a variety of infrastructure assets types including transport, airport, energy and renewables. We have the dedicated expertise to assist investors at every stage of the project lifecycle. For more information on our extensive suite of services for debt financing here or contact Lars Anderson at lars.anderson@usbank.com or Alejandro Hoyos at alejandro.hoyos@usbank.com.

 

 

 

U.S. Bank Global Corporate Trust is a trading name of U.S. Bank Global Corporate Trust Limited, U.S. Bank Trustees Limited and Elavon Financial Services DAC (each a U.S. Bancorp group company). U.S. Bank Global Corporate Trust Limited is a limited company registered in England and Wales having the registration number 05521133 and a registered address of 125 Old Broad Street, Fifth Floor, London, EC2N 1AR. U.S. Bank Global Corporate Trust Limited, Dublin Branch is registered in Ireland with the Companies Registration Office under Reg. No. 909340 with its registered office at Building 8, Cherrywood Business Park, Loughlinstown, Dublin 18, Ireland D18 W319. U.S. Bank Trustees Limited is a limited company registered in England and Wales having the registration number 02379632 and a registered address of 125 Old Broad Street, Fifth Floor, London, EC2N 1AR. Elavon Financial Services DAC  (a U.S. Bancorp Company), trading as U.S. Bank Global Corporate Trust, is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.  Registered in Ireland with the Companies Registration Office, Reg. No. 418442. The liability of the member is limited. Registered Office: Building 8, Cherrywood Business Park, Loughlinstown, Dublin 18, Ireland D18 W319. Directors: A list of names and personal details of every director of the company is available for inspection to the public at the company’s registered office for a nominal fee. In the UK, Elavon Financial Services DAC trades as U.S. Bank Global Corporate Trust through its UK Branch from its establishment at 125 Old Broad Street, Fifth Floor, London, EC2N 1AR (registered with the Registrar of Companies for England and Wales under Registration No. BR020005). Authorised and regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and with deemed variation of permission. Subject to regulation by the Financial Conduct Authority and limited regulation by the Prudential Regulation Authority. Details of the Temporary Permissions Regime, which allows EEA-based firms to operate in the UK for a limited period while seeking full authorisation, are available on the Financial Conduct Authority’s website. 

All banking services are provided through Elavon Financial Services DAC. U.S. Bank Global Corporate Trust Limited and U.S. Bank Trustees Limited are Trust Corporations and not banking institutions and are not authorised to carry on banking business in the United Kingdom, Ireland or any other jurisdiction.

U.S. Bank National Association is not responsible for and does not guarantee the products, services, performance or obligations of its affiliates.