Bank of America will hold a bank meeting tomorrow for Vanguard Health Systems, launching syndication of a $150 million, add-on term loan "B" to back the company's $295 million acquisition of five hospitals from Baptist Health System, said a banker. Pricing for the add-on had not been determined at press time. The company's existing $125 million revolver, led by B of A and co-documentation agents Wachovia Securities and General Electric Capital Corp., is priced at LIBOR plus 3%. A B of A banker declined to comment.
Vanguard agreed to pay Baptist $247 million in cash and $48 million in equity and subordinated debt securities for the hospitals. The cash portion will come from the Nashville, Tenn.-based company's available funds, proceeds of private sales of its common stock to existing shareholders and the expanded bank debt. The transaction is slated to close by the end of the year. Trip Pilgrim, v.p. of investor relations for Vanguard, did not return calls.