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Slowing revenues after Sept. 11 prompted RFS Hotel Investors to seek amendments to the terms of its credit lines. Kevin Luebbers, cfo and v.p. of finance, said the company was not at risk of credit defaults but was trying to be "proactive" as it predicted EBITDA would fall over the next year. Among the changes, the maximum allowable leverage ratio was increased to 50-55 from its prior 45-50. "After Sept. 11, EBITDA was going down. Relaxing these terms was done in recognition of that," he said. "We sought this out proactively; RFS still had a strong balance sheet, compared to our peers in the lodging industry. Our competitors went back to their bank groups for relief because they were in distress. We weren't in that position." The Memphis, Tenn.-based company owns 58 hotels throughout the country.

Sankaty Advisors has reportedly wrapped up its $500 million collateralized loan obligation--Race Point CLO I-- backed by leveraged loans. Market sources said the structure is a cash flow arbitrage deal with notes sold to investors by underwriter Deutsche Bank. Pricing is reportedly 43 basis points over LIBOR on the $327 million AAA tranche, 75 basis points over LIBOR on the $71 million AA tranche, 135 basis points over LIBOR on the $22 million A- tranche, 240 basis points over LIBOR on the $20 million BBB tranche, and 700 basis points over LIBOR on the $21 million BB- tranche of the transaction. The remaining equity piece is reportedly $39 million. Kim Harris, portfolio manager at Sankaty, and the Sankaty press office, did not return calls.

Approximately $30 million of Burlington Industries' debt traded last week in the high 60s, up slightly from quoted levels two weeks ago in the 65 range. Dealers were quoting the bank debt at 67-69 by the end of the week. Some predict levels will bottom out in mid-50s because of the struggling textile industry. A dealer explained that market players who aren't in the paper want to see levels drop further to get into the name in hopes that there will be a return. "They're trying to push it down, [thinking] that eventually it will trade back up," he said. He added that the outlook on the textile industry remains grim. "Stay away," he said with a laugh. Burlington, based in Greensboro, N.C., makes fabrics for both the apparel and home-furnishing sectors. Calls to Charles Peters, cfo, were referred to spokeswoman Delores Sides, who did not return them by press time.

Commitments on the $150 million revolver for Smart & Final will be scaled back as the BNP Paribas-led credit finished up oversubscribed with $175 million in commitments. A banker close to the deal said it was scheduled to be funded by the end of last week. Harris Bank acted as syndication agent on the credit and Rabobank as documentation agent. BNP Paribas replaced Bank of America and Credit Lyonnais, as both firms dropped out of the credit after leading the old deal. Pricing is based on a grid and starts at LIBOR plus 21/2 % with a 1/2% commitment fee. Pricing has gone up 1/4% from the old deal. Richard Phegley, cfo of Smart & Final, did not return calls inquiring about the switch in lenders.

A $20 million chunk of Crown Cork & Seal traded last Tuesday at 79 1/2, down nearly a point from the level traded at an auction the day before. Industrial Bank of Japan was the rumored seller, and J.P. Morgan was said to have bought the piece. Officials at both shops declined to comment. A day earlier, a $10 million piece of Crown Cork was auctioned off between 81-82 on news of a possible bankruptcy filing. The company's troubles center on aggressive acquisitions throughout the 1990s and declining sales, culminating in a loss of $174 million in 2000. Compounding the pressure is a $400 million bank debt payment due next year. Timothy Donahue, cfo, was traveling last week and could not be reached for comment. A spokeswoman declined to comment.

Credit Suisse First Boston last Tuesday launched syndication of two new deals totaling $676 million. CSFB is in the market with a $350 million credit for the financially troubled Washington Group and a $325 million refinancing for CSK Auto. A banker familiar with the Washington Group deal said it comprises a $200 million revolver with a commitment fee of 1% and a $150 million revolver carrying a 2% commitment fee. Pricing on both pieces is tied to a grid and is currently set for LIBOR plus 4%. The reason for the difference in the commitment fees on revolvers that are both set for three year tenors could not be ascertained by press time. Katrina Puett, media relations specialist at Washington Group, said treasury officials were traveling and unavailable to answer questions. Bankers said CSFB is looking for other agents to come in on the deal as it will provide exit financing for the company now that Washington has emerged from bankruptcy.

Bill Wivel, fixed-income portfolio manager at Columbia Partners, in Washington, D.C., is retiring effective Dec.14 after 44 years in the investment management business. Wivel says Gary Dickinson, who has been co-manager with Wivel for the last year, will become sole manager of the firm's $600 million taxable fixed-income portfolio. Wivel says he is leaving the business because, at the age of 69, "It's time to enjoy life." He has been at Columbia Partners for five years, coming over from RIMCO, the investment subsidiary of Riggs Bank, also in Washington. Wivel began managing blended fixed-income and equity accounts in 1957, and has focused exclusively on fixed-income since 1970. He says the biggest change to the business came roughly 10 years ago, when Bloomberg machines became a fixture on portfolio managers' desks. The additional information and analytical tools the Bloomberg provides has only marginally improved managers' performance, but has certainly led to greater trading activity and market volatility.

Traders last week were immersed in the complexities of the Enron Corporation saga as the beleaguered company's bank debt fell to the low 20s from the 50 range after news broke last Wednesday that the Dynegy Corp. deal was off. No trades were reported last week and dealers said they expect investors to hang on and hope their senior secured status comes through for them in what, at LMW's press time, appeared to be an imminent bankruptcy. Market players said many in the debt are distressed shops that bought paper in the 50s. Many original lenders bailed at that level or earlier on their view of its ultimate recovery on the paper.

Thirteen former fixed-income salesmen from Gruntal & Co. LLC's New York corporate bond sales desk have filed a statement of claim--a copy of which was obtained by BondWeek--with the National Association of Securities Dealers, alleging that they were all denied severance after they were terminated on July 25. Similarly, five of the 13 allege that they were denied fair value for the stock they had purchased in privately held Gruntal. Michael Riordan, Gruntal's counsel at Ressler, Amery & Ross of Morristown, N.J., would only acknowledge that he is preparing a response and was uncertain as to whether he could comment on behalf of Gruntal. The claimants have retained Liddle & Robinson of New York as their counsel. An associate with Liddle & Robinson notes that Gruntal has to file a response with the NASD by Dec. 18.

Agnico-Eagle Mines Limited handed the sole lead of a $125 million refinancing toScotia Bank after the bank came in with a term sheet and wanted to go it alone, without co-leads Deutsche Bank and Barclays Capital. The company secured an additional $25 million while obtaining more flexible covenants, said David Garofalo, v.p. finance and cfo. "Scotia was more confident to underwrite the entire deal," Garofalo said. "Scotia Capital came in with a term sheet and said they'd like to refinance the existing facility. We said we'd consider it under certain terms and they met them."

HSBC is planning to build a European credit strategy team as part of its effort to enhance its credit research group. Frances Hutchinson, London-based head of fixed-income credit research, says the firm is evaluating what the function of the credit strategy team will be and what products it will provide. A timeline for the group's establishment has not yet been set, but HSBC will be in the market to hire credit strategists, she adds.