Rite Aid completes second priority accounts receivable securitization term loan

CAMP HILL, Pa. Rite Aid on Feb. 19 announced that it has completed its previously announced second priority accounts receivable securitization term loan for $225 million, which is $25 million more than previously announced. The second priority accounts receivable securitization loan will be used to replace the previously announced $200 million step down of availability on the company’s existing accounts receivable securitization facility, which was renewed on Jan. 22, 2009 and extended through Jan. 21, 2010.

Amounts outstanding under the Second Lien facility are secured by second priority liens on the eligible third party pharmaceutical receivables securing Rite Aid's existing accounts receivable securitization facility. The Second Lien facility contains terms substantially similar to those governing Rite Aid's existing accounts receivable securitization facility, other than it has a second priority lien on the pharmaceutical receivables and that it allows only a one-time draw at the time of closing and not drawings on a revolving basis. The Second Lien facility was sold at a discount of 3%, bears interest at a rate of LIBOR plus 12%, with a LIBOR floor of 3%, and will mature on Sept. 14, 2010.

Rite Aid will have access to $345 million of availability under the First Lien facility, which is what the company anticipates its borrowing level to be under that facility. Should the First Lien facility not be renewed following its maturity on January 21, 2010 the company has access to a backstop facility to provide receivable financing to the company until September 2010. The backstop facility is backed by the banks in the existing facility. 

Citigroup Global Markets Inc. acted as sole lead arranger and sole bookrunner for the loan.