Vanguard Health System's $150 million acquisition add-on "B" loan was oversubscribed by last Tuesday. Pricing on the line was set at LIBOR plus 4 1/4%, with a 50 basis point upfront fee, according to a banker familiar with the deal. Pricing was not specifically determined at launch, but another banker had noted that shooting for pricing below LIBOR plus 4% would have been tough because of the company's speculative-grade ratings (LMW 12/16).
The Bank of America-led credit back's the company's $295 million acquisition of five hospitals from Baptist Health System. 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 official 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 Nashville, Tenn.-based Vanguard'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.