Create a bespoke document in minutes, or upload and review your own.
Get your first 2 documents free
Your data doesn't train Genie's AI
You keep IP ownership of your information
Underwriting Agreement
I need an underwriting agreement for a securities offering, detailing the responsibilities and obligations of the underwriters, including the purchase commitment, pricing terms, and indemnification clauses, while ensuring compliance with Danish financial regulations. The agreement should also outline the conditions for termination and any provisions for overallotment options.
What is an Underwriting Agreement?
A Underwriting Agreement forms the legal backbone when companies go public or issue securities in Denmark. It's the contract where investment banks promise to buy unsold shares from the issuing company, essentially guaranteeing the success of the offering under Danish securities law. These agreements help companies raise capital while protecting them from market uncertainties.
Beyond just outlining purchase terms, Danish Underwriting Agreements detail important obligations like marketing responsibilities, disclosure requirements under the Capital Markets Act, and specific conditions that must be met before the deal closes. The agreement typically specifies the underwriter's commission, timing of the offering, and any early termination rights if market conditions change dramatically.
When should you use an Underwriting Agreement?
Companies need an Underwriting Agreement when planning to list shares on the Danish stock exchange or make a significant securities offering. This agreement becomes essential during the critical pre-IPO phase, particularly when seeking guaranteed placement of shares through investment banks in the Danish market. The timing typically aligns with final preparations for going public, usually 3-6 months before the intended listing date.
The agreement proves especially valuable when market conditions are uncertain or when dealing with large offerings that require multiple underwriters. Danish companies also benefit from these agreements when raising capital through bond issues, rights offerings, or secondary market placements where guaranteed distribution is crucial for success.
What are the different types of Underwriting Agreement?
- Firm Commitment Underwriting: Most common in Danish IPOs, where investment banks guarantee to buy all securities at a fixed price and resell them to investors
- Best Efforts Underwriting: Used for smaller or riskier offerings, where banks try to sell securities without guaranteeing full placement
- Standby Underwriting: Popular for rights issues, where underwriters only purchase unsubscribed shares after existing shareholders' rights expire
- Syndicated Underwriting: Used for large offerings requiring multiple investment banks, with one lead underwriter coordinating the group
Who should typically use an Underwriting Agreement?
- Issuing Companies: Danish corporations planning to go public or raise capital through securities offerings initiate and sign these agreements
- Investment Banks: Act as lead underwriters, guaranteeing the securities placement and managing the distribution process
- Legal Counsel: Draft and review Underwriting Agreements to ensure compliance with Danish securities laws and FSA regulations
- Company Directors: Review and approve final terms, often providing required representations and warranties
- Financial Supervisory Authority: Oversees the process and ensures compliance with Danish capital market regulations
How do you write an Underwriting Agreement?
- Company Details: Gather full legal name, registration number, and current capitalization structure of the issuing company
- Offering Specifics: Define exact number and type of securities, pricing mechanism, and underwriting commission structure
- Due Diligence: Compile financial statements, material contracts, and regulatory compliance records for underwriter review
- Timeline Planning: Establish key dates for pricing, settlement, and closing in alignment with Danish FSA requirements
- Risk Assessment: Document market conditions, company-specific risks, and required disclosures under Danish securities laws
- Approval Process: Confirm board authorization and necessary shareholder approvals for the offering
What should be included in an Underwriting Agreement?
- Parties and Roles: Clear identification of issuer, underwriters, and any co-managers with their respective obligations
- Securities Description: Detailed specification of the type, quantity, and price of securities being underwritten
- Representations & Warranties: Issuer's declarations about business condition, legal compliance, and financial statements
- Closing Conditions: Specific requirements for completion, including regulatory approvals under Danish law
- Termination Rights: Circumstances allowing agreement cancellation, aligned with Danish securities regulations
- Indemnification: Protection terms for underwriters against potential losses or legal claims
- Commission Structure: Clear outline of underwriting fees and payment terms
What's the difference between an Underwriting Agreement and a Bond Issuance Agreement?
A Underwriting Agreement differs significantly from a Bond Issuance Agreement in several key aspects, though both relate to raising capital in the Danish market. While both documents deal with securities, their scope and application vary considerably.
- Primary Purpose: Underwriting Agreements focus on guaranteeing the sale of securities and managing distribution risk, while Bond Issuance Agreements primarily establish the terms and conditions of the debt instrument itself
- Parties Involved: Underwriting Agreements are between issuers and investment banks as underwriters, whereas Bond Issuance Agreements involve the issuer and bondholders directly
- Risk Distribution: Underwriting Agreements transfer market placement risk to underwriters, while Bond Issuance Agreements maintain this risk with the issuer
- Timing and Duration: Underwriting Agreements typically cover the offering period only, while Bond Issuance Agreements remain active throughout the bond's lifetime
Download our whitepaper on the future of AI in Legal
ұԾ’s Security Promise
Genie is the safest place to draft. Here’s how we prioritise your privacy and security.
Your documents are private:
We do not train on your data; ұԾ’s AI improves independently
All data stored on Genie is private to your organisation
Your documents are protected:
Your documents are protected by ultra-secure 256-bit encryption
Our bank-grade security infrastructure undergoes regular external audits
We are ISO27001 certified, so your data is secure
Organizational security
You retain IP ownership of your documents
You have full control over your data and who gets to see it
Innovation in privacy:
Genie partnered with the Computational Privacy Department at Imperial College London
Together, we ran a £1 million research project on privacy and anonymity in legal contracts
Want to know more?
Visit our for more details and real-time security updates.
Read our Privacy Policy.