Leveraged Loan Documentation / Negotiated Items

Hi All,

I'm new to the forums and have just recently started as an analyst in a leveraged finance group. As the title indicates, I'm interested in ways to become familiar with loan documentation, specifically industry standard negotiated points including restricted payments, available amount baskets, covenants, incremental facilities etc.

I have a general understanding of the concepts of each but was hoping someone knew of a comprehensive resource(s) that explain these in-depth or personal experiences getting up to speed

Thanks!

 

Thanks, I will definitely look up the LMA guidance. Anyone else have suggestions? Not just on structure but in terms of what each side is most concerned about when negotiating a doc - as in what points will a PE firm/company really push for flexibility while the bank/investor will push back for added protection.

It seems like financial covenants are the biggest point (maybe less so currently as more deals are cov-lite) but what comes next in terms of importance and why? I'd greatly appreciate any feedback, especially from someone who negotiates docs in their current/former role

 

S&P have a good leveraged loan guide, as does one other source I can't recall. IM me a reminder tomorrow and I'll post links to the pdfs plus Amazon link to a great book on the topic. I give these to each of the new starters in my team.

I've posted those before and, if you're super keen, you can probably find in my post history.

Those who can, do. Those who can't, post threads about how to do it on WSO.
 

Some links:

http://www.amazon.com/Leveraged-Financial-Markets-Comprehensive-Instrum… This book is a good guide to leveraged financial markets and has a good chapter on lev fin terms. However, if the doc terms are all you're after, you can download the chapter written by the Cravath partner on bond terms from Cravath directly: http://www.cravath.com/files/Uploads/Documents/Publications/3234772_1.P…

Take a look at the S&P leveraged loan guide as well: https://www.lcdcomps.com/d/pdf/LoanMarketguide.pdf

That guide has some commentary relevant to debt doc terms.

There's one more guide, but I'll need to dig up the link when I'm at work tomorrow.

Those who can, do. Those who can't, post threads about how to do it on WSO.
 

Last link - the Mayer Brown guide to high yield bonds: http://www.mayerbrown.com/High-Yield-Bonds---An-Insiders-Guide-3rd-Edit…

Check out page 13ff on covenants.

Although these are high yield bond terms, from a beginners perspective there is not a significant degree of difference between leveraged loans and high yield bonds when it comes to covenant protections. The distinction between leveraged loans and bonds is more about who you are selling the debt to.

Those who can, do. Those who can't, post threads about how to do it on WSO.
 

Sequi repellendus quo autem voluptas sed. Perspiciatis nam magnam ab et.

Career Advancement Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (87) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (146) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
98.8
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”