Jewelry retailer Zale Corp. has amended its $500 million revolver to extend the maturity by a year to August 2009 and reduce the cost of the line. The company extended the five-year line "to take advantage of the adjustments in the marketplace and to give us additional flexibility as we move forward by locking in another year," explained David Sternblitz, v.p. and treasurer.
The spread now ranges from LIBOR plus 1 1/4-1/2%, previously it was from LIBOR plus 1 1/2-2%. Bank of America, previously Fleet National Bank, is the lead arranger and J.P. Morgan and Congress Financial Corp. are co-syndication agents.
The company had 100% participation from its previous lenders but there were also some new additions to the syndicate. "Because of bank mergers some of the positions had become a little more significant. Parts were sold down and a couple of new banks were brought in," Sternblitz explained.