A Leader in Escrow Banking

Building Digital Infrastructure for Trust.

Where Trust Meets Technology.

Trusted for

We are an independent organisation specialising in Escrow Banking and Trusteeship services, designed for markets where trust is scarce and transparency is critical.

Neutral fiduciaryTime-stamped audit trailConditions-based release
Try an escrow Interactive demo
  1. Escrow agreement signed
  2. Funds deposited with Securus
  3. Conditions verified
  4. Funds released to Party B

    Illustration only. No real money moves in this demo.

    Transparent

    Every movement is logged, time-stamped and visible to the parties entitled to see it.

    Compliant

    Processes built around your agreements and the regulatory norms that apply to them.

    Reliable

    Strict conditions, restricted movement and a neutral hand on every release.

    What is an escrow agent?

    A neutral third party between people who need to trust each other.

    An Escrow Agent or Trustee is a neutral third party that holds funds, assets, or critical materials (like source code) on behalf of transacting parties, releasing them strictly upon the occurrence of pre-agreed contractual or regulatory conditions.

    Our platform ensures seamless, compliant, and secure execution of financial agreements. From escrow arrangements to debenture and security trusteeship, we provide the digital backbone that restores confidence between parties.

    How escrow works
    Partner with us to safeguard your transactions and build trust where it matters most.
    Transparent. Compliant. Reliable.
    Find your service

    Not sure where to start? Tell us what you need.

    Pick the situation that sounds most like yours.

    Escrow Banking

    A neutral escrow agent holds your funds, securities or source code and releases them only when the agreed conditions are proven.

    • Cash, bank guarantees, securities and IP
    • Release strictly on documented conditions
    • Frozen in a dispute until instructions or an order

    See Escrow Banking
    How escrow works

    Four steps from agreement to release.

    A clear, documented path so every party knows what happens, and when.

    Agreement

    The parties sign an escrow agreement that defines assets, conditions, timelines and release instructions.

    Account setup

    Onboarding and documentation are completed, and a dedicated escrow arrangement is opened.

    Secure execution

    Assets are received and held. Documentary proof and milestone certificates are reviewed against the agreement.

    Release & reporting

    On satisfaction of conditions, we release strictly as agreed and maintain the audit trail and reports.

    Common questions

    Escrow and trusteeship, explained.

    What does an escrow agent actually do?

    An escrow agent holds funds, assets or critical materials for two or more parties and releases them only when the conditions in the escrow agreement are met. It stays neutral and does not favour any party.

    What can be held in escrow?

    Cash, bank guarantees, listed and unlisted securities, and intellectual property such as software source code, depending on the structure agreed between the parties.

    What happens if the parties disagree?

    Funds and assets stay frozen until the parties give joint written instructions, or an arbitration award or court order is produced. The escrow agent does not take sides. You can see this in the demo at the top of the page.

    How is a trustee different from an escrow agent?

    Both are neutral fiduciaries. An escrow agent typically holds assets for a specific transaction until conditions are met. A trustee, such as a debenture, security or AIF trustee, acts on an ongoing basis for the benefit of a group such as lenders, debenture holders or unit-holders.

    Can you help with wills and estate planning?

    Yes. Securus Wills covers online will writing, asset inventory, registration assistance, safe custody and probate support. See the Wills page for details.

    How do we get started?

    Send us a short note about your transaction through the contact page. We will reply with the documents and the structure we recommend.

    Build trust where it matters most.

    Partner with us to safeguard your transactions.

    Home / Services / Escrow Banking

    Escrow Banking

    A neutral third party that holds funds, assets or critical materials on behalf of transacting parties, and releases them strictly on pre-agreed contractual or regulatory conditions.

    An Escrow Agent/Trustee is a neutral third party that holds funds, assets, or critical materials (like source code) on behalf of transacting parties, releasing them strictly upon the occurrence of pre-agreed contractual or regulatory conditions.
    What an escrow agent does
    Universal core responsibilities (all escrow types)

    Six duties that apply to every escrow.

    Whatever the asset or structure, these responsibilities define how we act.

    Fiduciary impartiality

    We act strictly as a neutral stakeholder. We cannot favour the buyer over the seller, or the beneficiary over the grantor.

    Custodial security

    Safe holding of cash, bank guarantees, listed or unlisted securities, and intellectual property or source code.

    Condition verification

    We review documentary proof, milestone certificates or legal triggers, exactly as defined in the escrow agreement, before we act.

    Restricted movement

    Only permitted debits and credits are processed. No ad-hoc withdrawals, set-offs or lien exercises by the holding bank unless mandated by law or court.

    Audit trail maintenance

    Tamper-proof, time-stamped transaction logs, with periodic statutory or auditor certificates submitted where applicable (for example under RBI, PPI or PA norms).

    Dispute handling

    In a stalemate or dispute, funds stay frozen until joint written instructions, an arbitration award or a court order is produced.

    What we hold

    Assets and materials we can hold in escrow.

    Cash

    Transaction funds, deposits and milestone payments.

    Bank guarantees

    Guarantees held as security for performance.

    Securities

    Listed and unlisted securities held in custody.

    IP and source code

    Critical materials released on defined triggers.

    The escrow lifecycle

    From agreement to closure. Click each stage.

    The parties agree the terms

    Everything that follows is decided here, so it is written down clearly.

    • The assets or amounts to be held
    • The conditions for release and the evidence needed
    • Timelines, fees and who may give which instruction
    Where escrow helps

    Anywhere one party needs to be sure before the other lets go.

    • Mergers, acquisitions and share purchases where consideration is released on completion conditions.
    • Real estate and project milestones where payments follow certified progress.
    • Technology and licensing where source code is deposited and released on defined triggers.
    • Financing arrangements where lenders and borrowers need controlled movement of funds.
    Restricted movement, by design.
    Funds move only through permitted debits and credits set out in the agreement. There are no ad-hoc withdrawals, and no set-off or lien by the holding bank unless mandated by law or court.
    When parties disagree.
    Assets remain frozen until joint written instructions, an arbitration award or a court order is produced.

    Set up an escrow arrangement.

    Share your transaction details and we will come back with a recommended structure.

    Home / Services / Trusteeship

    Debenture, Security & Share Pledge Trusteeship

    An independent fiduciary that holds, monitors and, when the documents require it, enforces security on behalf of lenders and investors.

    Our trusteeship mandates

    Independent oversight for lenders and investors.

    Debenture Trusteeship

    We act for debenture holders under the trust deed, monitor the issuer's compliance with its terms and covenants, and protect investors' interests, including when a default or deviation occurs.

    Security Trusteeship

    We hold security on behalf of one or several lenders, giving them a single, neutral point for creation, monitoring, enforcement and release of security.

    Share Pledge Trusteeship

    A specialised form of security trusteeship: we hold, monitor and enforce a pledge over shares given as collateral for credit facilities.

    Share pledge trustee

    Holding pledged shares as one neutral fiduciary.

    A Share Pledge Trustee, often a specialised subset or extension of a Security Trustee, is an independent entity appointed to hold, monitor and enforce a pledge of shares (dematerialised or physical) provided as collateral by a promoter, investor or borrower for credit facilities extended by banks or NBFCs.

    Legal and regulatory framework

    Contractual

    Governed by the Indian Contract Act, 1872 (bailment and pledge provisions, Sections 172 to 176) and the tripartite Share Pledge Agreement / STA.

    Corporate and filings

    The Companies Act, 2013 (charge registration under Section 77 where applicable) and depository participant pledge-creation mechanics through NSDL and CDSL.

    Securities law

    SEBI (Substantial Acquisition of Shares and Takeovers) Regulations, and pledge and encumbrance disclosure norms on stock exchanges (BSE and NSE).

    Statutory holding limits

    Banks are generally restricted from holding more than 30% of a company's equity, unless specific restructuring or enforcement exceptions apply (see the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 and regulator guidelines).

    Every mandate is run on the terms of the agreement signed by the parties, and regulatory applicability depends on the facts of each case.

    Core roles and responsibilities

    1. Pre-execution and structuring

    • Vetting the Share Pledge Agreement, promoter undertakings and corporate authorisations (Board and shareholder resolutions).
    • Ensuring the shares are fully paid-up, free from prior liens and encumbrances, and permitted to be pledged under the company's Articles of Association.
    • Coordinating depository mechanics for demat share blocking and pledge creation in favour of the trustee.

    2. Custody and holding

    • Holding the legal and fiduciary benefit of the pledge on behalf of a single lender or a consortium.
    • Working within statutory bank holding limits by holding concentrated or large promoter equity stakes safely as a neutral fiduciary.
    • Tracking corporate actions (dividends, bonus shares, rights issues, splits) and ensuring economic benefits flow as per the contract and waterfall.

    3. Valuation, margin and covenant monitoring

    • Tracking market prices of listed pledged shares daily, weekly or monthly.
    • Calculating Loan-to-Value (LTV) or asset cover ratios against agreed volatility margins.
    • Issuing margin call or top-up notices if collateral value falls below required thresholds.
    • Processing requests to release excess pledged shares after partial debt reduction or LTV rebalancing.

    4. Regulatory and exchange disclosures

    • Facilitating or verifying statutory pledge and encumbrance reporting with the target company's secretarial team and stock exchanges under SEBI SAST guidelines.

    5. Default and enforcement

    • Acting strictly on lender voting thresholds and instructions upon an Event of Default.
    • Invoking the demat pledge through depository participants, or executing sale or transfer of pledged shares in the open market or by negotiated arrangement, as permitted by law and contract.
    • Distributing realisation proceeds to lenders per the agreed waterfall, and executing charge release and satisfaction documents on full repayment.

    Need a trustee for your facility?

    Tell us about the lenders, the security and the timeline.

    Home / Services / AIF Trusteeship

    AIF Trusteeship

    The primary fiduciary of an Alternative Investment Fund in India: safeguarding unit-holder interests, ring-fencing scheme assets and overseeing the Investment Manager and Sponsor.

    The mandate

    Independent oversight, whatever the fund structure.

    In India, an AIF Trustee (structured as a dedicated trustee company, corporate trustee, or designated board or partners, depending on whether the AIF is set up as a trust, company or LLP) acts as the primary fiduciary.

    Their mandate is to safeguard unit-holder interests, ensure strict ring-fencing of scheme assets, and oversee the Investment Manager (IM) and Sponsor.

    Legal and regulatory framework

    • SEBI (Alternative Investment Funds) Regulations, 2012and subsequent amendments: registration, compliance and fiduciary duties.
    • Indian Trusts Act, 1882the underlying legal principles for trust-based AIF structures.
    • Companies Act, 2013 and the LLP Actapplicable where AIF governance mimics corporate or LLP board structures, with independent oversight expectations aligned.
    Core roles and responsibilities

    Six areas of fiduciary responsibility.

    1. Fiduciary duty and impartiality

    • Prioritise unit-holder interests above all; ensure the Sponsor, Manager or their associates never extract preferential or prejudicial benefits.
    • Exercise independent professional judgment, high standards of integrity and continuous due diligence.

    2. Registration and documentation vetting

    • Assist in drafting, vetting and executing the Trust Deed, Private Placement Memorandum (PPM), Contribution Agreement and Investment Management Agreement (IMA).
    • Ensure adequate stamp duty is paid on transaction documents.
    • Hold original legal and title documents and agreements in safe custody.

    3. Scheme ring-fencing and segregation

    • Ensure strict segregation and ring-fencing of assets and liabilities across multiple schemes of the same AIF.
    • Verify that separate bank, demat and custodial accounts are maintained for each scheme.

    4. Oversight and compliance monitoring

    • Track adherence to SEBI investment restrictions, such as concentration limits (for example, a maximum of 25% of investable funds in a single investee company for Category I and II AIFs), leverage limits and restrictions on unapproved associate investments.
    • Review periodic compliance reports and quarterly and annual audits, and monitor the Manager's compliance calendar.
    • Monitor related-party transaction safeguards and arm's-length requirements.

    5. Operational and distribution controls

    • Co-sign or authorise major trust and scheme financial statements, approve independent valuer appointments for portfolio companies, and oversee proper valuation methodology adherence.
    • Oversee proper distribution of proceeds as per the waterfall agreed in the PPM and Contribution Agreement.

    6. Default, deviation and grievance handling

    • Intervene when investment-condition breaches or deviations occur, and direct the Manager to rectify non-compliance.
    • Address escalated investor grievances, or coordinate responses through regulatory channels such as SCORES.
    • Facilitate action if a scheme is tagged "inoperative" or undergoes winding-up or dissolution.

    Launching or restructuring an AIF?

    Talk to us about trusteeship for your fund.

    Home / Services / Securus Wills
    New: Securus Wills

    Write your will online. Leave no doubt about who gets what.

    Securus Wills makes will writing and succession planning in India simple. Answer guided questions from home, get a draft reviewed by an advocate, then sign it with two witnesses. Plans start at ₹2,500 plus GST.

    • Made on plain paper. No stamp duty is payable on a will.
    • Reviewed by an advocate before you sign it.
    • Change it whenever your life changes.
    Why make a will

    Without a will, the law decides for you.

    If you die without a will, your property passes by the succession rules that apply to you. Those shares may not match your wishes, and your family may have to wait months or years for the paperwork.

    Decide who receives what

    Name people, charities and the share each receives, including a backup if someone is no longer alive.

    Name who looks after minor children

    Record your choice of guardian and how money for the children should be managed.

    Choose your executor

    Appoint the person you trust to carry out the will and deal with banks, registrars and courts.

    Reduce family disputes

    A clear, properly signed will leaves less room for argument between relatives.

    How Securus Wills works

    Six steps, start to finish.

    You never need to visit an office. You only meet your witnesses, and the registrar if you choose to register.

    Pick a plan and request your will

    Choose the plan that fits and send a short request. An advocate calls within one working day to confirm the plan and sends you a private link to the questionnaire.

    Tell us about you and your family

    Your details, your spouse, children and other relatives. You also record your religion, because it decides which succession law applies.

    List your assets and who gets what

    Bank accounts, deposits, property, shares, insurance, vehicles, lockers and digital assets. For each, name who receives it and a backup.

    Choose executor, guardian and backups

    Name the executor and a backup, a guardian for minor children if needed, and a residuary beneficiary for anything you forgot to list.

    Review your draft

    We prepare the draft in plain language. An advocate reviews it, we send it as PDF, and you ask for changes until you are happy.

    Sign with two witnesses

    Print it, sign on every page in front of two witnesses, and they sign in front of you. We send a checklist so nothing is missed. Registration and safe custody are optional.

    After you sign, keep the original safe and tell your executor where it is. A life event such as a marriage, a child or a new property is a good time to update it with a codicil or a new will.

    Plans and prices

    Every plan gives you a legally structured will.

    The plans differ in how much detail they cover and how much of an advocate's time you get. Prices are professional fees in rupees and exclude GST and government charges.

    Essential

    A straightforward will for one person with a simple estate.

    ₹2,500 + GST

    • Guided online questionnaire
    • Up to 10 assets and 5 beneficiaries
    • Executor and residuary clause
    • Will as PDF and Word
    • One free revision within 30 days
    • Signing checklist
    Start with Essential

    Advocate-drafted

    For complex families, businesses or property in several states.

    ₹9,999 + GST

    • Everything in Detailed
    • Advocate consultation call
    • Trusts, conditional gifts and life interests
    • HUF, business and NRI asset structuring
    • Unlimited revisions for 60 days
    • Letter of wishes for your family
    Start with Advocate-drafted

    Mirror wills for couples

    Two matching wills, one for each spouse, prepared together so they work as a pair. Each partner keeps a private copy.

    ₹6,999 for two + GST

    Start mirror wills

    Prices other than the starting fee may be revised. Turnaround times start once we receive your completed questionnaire. Registration fees and stamp charges, where they apply, are paid to the government at actual.

    Inside your will

    What goes into your will.

    Each clause has a job. Together they leave your family with nothing to interpret.

    Declaration

    States that you are of sound mind, acting freely, and cancels any earlier will.

    Family details

    Names your spouse, children and other relatives so there is no doubt who is who.

    Executor

    Appoints the person who will carry out the will, with a backup.

    Specific gifts

    Names particular property, accounts, jewellery or heirlooms for named people.

    Residuary clause

    Decides who receives everything you did not list, including assets acquired later.

    Guardian

    Records who looks after minor children and how their inheritance is managed.

    Backup beneficiaries

    Says who receives a share if the first person is no longer alive.

    Digital assets

    Lists online accounts, devices and who should handle them.

    Signature and witnesses

    The attestation block for your signature and the two witnesses.

    Succession planning

    A will is one part of a succession plan.

    A good plan makes sure your family can find your assets, knows who is in charge, and has the time to settle things. Securus Trusteeship Services can support each stage.

    While you are alive

    • An asset and family inventory. Where each account, policy and property is, and who the nominees are.
    • A review of your nominations. Bank, insurance, demat and provident fund nominees should match your will.
    • Registration and safe custody. Register at the Sub-Registrar if you wish, and store the original with us.
    • A family trust for larger estates. Moves assets into a structure that is managed by a trustee for your family.

    When your family needs to act

    • Executorship. We can act as a professional executor, so the will is carried out without family friction.
    • Succession certificate and probate. Help with court applications and documents for your executor.
    • Legal heir certificates. Support in getting documents banks and registrars ask for.
    • Transferring property and accounts. Step-by-step help with each transfer.

    Add-on services

    Add-onWhat you getFee
    Will registration assistanceWe prepare the documents and book the Sub-Registrar slot. Government fees are extra.₹3,999
    Safe custody of the original willSecure storage of your signed original, released to your executor when the time comes.₹999 per year
    Update through a codicilA short legal document that changes part of an existing will.₹1,499
    Executorship, family trust, probate and certificatesTailored to your estate. Tell us what you need and we will quote.On request

    All fees exclude GST. Fees other than the Essential will fee are indicative and confirmed when you enquire.

    Signing day

    Signing day checklist.

    Most disputes about wills come from mistakes made on the day it is signed. Follow these steps in order.

    1. Print the will on plain paperCheck every page number and name before you sign.
    2. Gather two adult witnessesThey should not be beneficiaries or their spouses.
    3. Sign in front of both witnessesSign every page and write the date and place on the last page.
    4. Witnesses sign in your presenceEach witness signs, writes name and address, and sees the other sign.
    5. Keep the original safeTell your executor where it is, or store it with Securus.
    6. Decide on registrationOptional, but it makes a will much harder to challenge.
    General information only. This page explains common rules in simple language. It is not legal advice, and the rules can differ by religion, location and family situation. Please speak to a qualified lawyer about your own will.
    Is your will valid?

    A quick readiness checklist.

    Under the Indian Succession Act, 1925, a valid will needs these essentials. Tick what you have covered.

    0%
    Let's get started

    Tick each item as you confirm it.

    Legal framework in India

    Which law governs your will?

    A will (testamentary disposition) is governed differently depending on the testator's religion.

    The Indian Succession Act, 1925

    Governs wills for Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs and Jains (through Section 57 and Schedule III), as well as Christians, Parsis and Jews.

    Personal law

    Muslims are governed by Muslim personal law (Shariat), which restricts testamentary disposition to a maximum of one-third of net assets after funeral and debt expenses, unless consenting heirs agree otherwise.

    Registration and stamping

    Registered or unregistered: what changes?

    Registration is optional under Section 18 of the Registration Act, 1908, and unregistered wills are legally valid. However, registration strongly deters challenges regarding genuineness, forgery or mental capacity. Wills do not require stamp duty.

    FeatureRegistered willUnregistered will
    Legal validityValidValid, if execution and attestation prove compliance
    Evidentiary weightStrong presumption of due execution; harder to challenge for forgeryHigher burden of proof on the person relying on it to dispel suspicious circumstances
    Confidentiality before deathSealed and recorded at the Sub-RegistrarPrivate, with a risk of loss, tampering or concealment
    Mandatory?NoNo

    Where to register

    At the Sub-Registrar of Assurances with jurisdiction over the testator's residence or property location. The testator can also deposit a sealed cover containing the will with the Registrar (Section 42, Registration Act).

    Probate

    Probate is a court's certification of a will. For wills of Hindus, Christians, Parsis and Jains it is mandatory in certain cases, for example where the will was made in, or covers immovable property in, Chennai, Mumbai or Kolkata. Elsewhere it is generally optional. A lawyer can confirm what applies to you.

    Key terms

    Words you will hear.

    Executor

    The person named by the testator to carry out the will and administer the estate. If none is named, heirs seek Letters of Administration.

    Beneficiary or legatee

    A person who inherits assets under the will.

    Codicil

    A later legal instrument that modifies, adds to or revokes part of an existing will. It needs the same execution and attestation formalities.

    Probate

    Certification of a will by a court of competent jurisdiction.

    Revocation

    A living testator can revoke a will at any time by making a later will or codicil that expressly revokes it, or by destroying, tearing, burning or mutilating it with the intention to revoke it. Marriage: the effect of marriage on an existing will depends on the testator's personal law, and personal laws or later family settlements or statutes may also interact with estate claims, so take advice.

    Testator

    The person making the will.

    Questions

    Questions people ask before writing a will.

    Do I need stamp paper for a will?

    No. A will does not attract stamp duty and can be made on plain paper.

    Does my will have to be registered or notarised?

    No. An unregistered will is legally valid if it is signed and witnessed correctly. Registration is optional, but it gives a strong presumption that the will was properly made and makes it harder to challenge.

    Who can be my witnesses?

    Any two adults of sound mind who see you sign. They should not be people who receive something under the will, or their spouses.

    What is an executor and do I need one?

    An executor is the person who carries out your will. You should name one, and a backup. Without one, your family may have to apply to a court for Letters of Administration.

    Is a nominee the same as a beneficiary?

    No. A nominee on a bank account, insurance policy or demat account is often only a person who receives the money on behalf of the legal heirs. Your will decides who is entitled to it, so keep the two aligned.

    What is probate, and will my will need it?

    Probate is a court's certificate that a will is genuine. It is compulsory in some cases and places, and not in others. We tell you whether it is likely to apply to your will.

    Can I change my will later?

    Yes, at any time. You can sign a new will that cancels the old one, or add a codicil for a small change. Each must be signed and witnessed in the same way.

    Does a will work for Muslims, or for property in Goa?

    Different rules apply. Muslim personal law limits what can be left by will, and Goa has its own civil code. We recommend the Advocate-drafted plan, so an advocate can advise on your situation.

    I live abroad. Can I make a will with you?

    Yes, in many cases. How and where you sign matters, so choose the Advocate-drafted plan and tell us your country.

    Is the information I share private?

    Please do not put asset details or ID numbers in the enquiry form. After you enquire, we send a private link where you can share what the advocate needs.

    Make your will with confidence.

    Share your name and number and an advocate will call you within one working day. Plans start at ₹2,500 plus GST.

    Securus Wills prepares will documents and gives general guidance. It does not replace legal advice on your particular circumstances. The law that applies to you depends on your religion, where your property is and other facts, so please speak to an advocate for anything unusual.

    Home / About

    Where trust meets technology.

    We are an independent organisation specialising in Escrow Banking and Trusteeship services, designed for markets where trust is scarce and transparency is critical.

    Who we are

    The digital backbone that restores confidence between parties.

    Our platform ensures seamless, compliant, and secure execution of financial agreements. From escrow arrangements to debenture and security trusteeship, we provide the infrastructure that lets counterparties transact with confidence.

    We are a leader in escrow banking, and we bring the same fiduciary discipline to trusteeship for lenders, investors and families.

    Building Digital Infrastructure for Trust.
    Securus Trusteeship Services Private Limited
    Our principles

    Independent. Transparent. Compliant.

    Independence

    We act as a neutral stakeholder. We do not favour one party over another, and we act strictly on the terms of the agreement.

    Transparency

    Time-stamped records and clear reporting, so every entitled party can see what has happened and why.

    Compliance

    Documentation, conditions and reporting aligned with the regulatory norms that apply to each mandate.

    Regulatory details

    Securus Trusteeship Services Private Limited

    CIN: U67190DL2022PTC407792

    Registered office: 1101 A, 11th Floor, Prakash Deep Building, Tolstoy Marg, New Delhi – 110001

    Work with us

    Partner with us to safeguard your transactions and build trust where it matters most.

    Partner With Us
    Home / Contact

    Partner with us.

    Tell us about your transaction, fund or estate. We will respond with the documents and structure we recommend.

    Contact details

    Speak to our team.

    We will never ask you to transfer funds to a personal account. Escrow arrangements are documented in a written agreement.
    Partner With Us Escrow