Credit Suisse First Boston this week is launching syndication of a $300 million bank deal for Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings and a handful of banks have already taken lead roles. Wachovia Securities, UBS Warburg, Bank of America and Deutsche Bank are syndication agents for the BBB rated senior unsecured credit. Split between a $100 million, 364-day revolver and a $200 million, three-year revolver, the spread is LIBOR plus 1%. There are 12.5 basis points and 17.5 basis points available as facility fees for the respective revolvers, said a banker.
Pam Sherry, a spokesperson for LabCorp, said the revolvers are being refinanced after the term debt was taken out by $500 million in Liquid Yield Option Notes due 2021, sold last September. She said the Merrill Lynch product provides a more flexible debt structure than just term loans, while the interest rate is 2% on the notes, though the old term loans did once carry a rate of LIBOR plus 3/8%. CSFB also led the old bank deal, she said. "Changes in the financial conditions enabled the LYONS." New contracts, and a strategic plan in place are the factors behind the improved performance, Sherry added.