Bank of America served as agent, sole lead arranger, sole bookrunner and a lender for a loan and security agreement for Keytronic and certain of its domestic subsidiaries. The loan agreement replaces Keytronic’s prior amended and restated credit agreement, as amended, with Wells Fargo and certain other parties.
The loan agreement provides for a five-year asset-based senior secured revolving credit facility of up to $93 million, maturing on Aug. 14, 2025. In addition, during the term of the loan agreement, Keytronic may increase the aggregate amount of the credit facility by up to an additional $25 million, subject to customary conditions, including obtaining a commitment from Bank of America (or another lender, if applicable) to such increase.
Loans and letters of credit under the loan agreement are not permitted to exceed the lesser of (i) the aggregate commitment under the credit facility and (ii) a borrowing base, which is determined by, among other things, specified levels of certain eligible accounts receivable and eligible inventory of Keytronic and certain of its subsidiaries, subject to certain reserve requirements, as further described in the loan agreement. The credit facility was used to pay off the prior credit facility and costs related to the loan agreement, and may be used to pay off certain other existing debt, to issue letters of credit and for other business purposes, including working capital needs. Based on Keytronic’s borrowing base and reserve requirements and after paying off the prior credit facility and related fees and expenses relating to the credit facility, immediately following the closing of the loan agreement, there was approximately $16 million available under the credit facility.
The payment and performance of Keytronic’s and co-borrowers’ obligations under the credit facility (as well as certain cash management and bank product obligations that may be owing to Bank of America or its affiliates) are guaranteed by certain of Keytronicc’s domestic subsidiaries and are secured by first-priority security interests in a substantial portion of the company’s and co-borrowers’ and guarantors’ existing and future assets, including accounts receivable and inventory.
Generally, the interest rate applicable to loans under the loan agreement will be, at Keytronic’s option: (i)(A) the base rate which is the highest of (1) the prime rate for the applicable day (as such rate is determined from time to time by Bank of America), (2) the federal funds rate for the applicable day plus 0.5%, and (3) LIBOR for a 30-day interest period as of the applicable day plus 1% (provided that in no event shall the base rate be less than zero), plus the applicable interest margin for base rate loans; and (B) LIBOR rate for an applicable interest period (provided that in no event shall the LIBOR rate be less than 0.5%), plus the applicable interest margin for LIBOR rate loans.
Depending on average daily excess borrowing availability over applicable periods under the credit facility, applicable interest margins on: (x) base rate loans will be 1.25% to 1.75%; and (y) LIBOR rate loans will be 2.25% to 2.75%, resetting on a quarterly basis beginning in early 2021. If there is an event of default under the loan agreement, all loans and other obligations will bear interest at a rate of an additional 2% on the otherwise applicable interest rates. In addition to interest charges, Keytronic is required to pay a fee of 0.25% per annum on the unused portion of the credit facility, monthly in arrears.
Keytronic’s and co-borrowers’ right to obtain any loan or letter of credit under the credit facility is subject to compliance with customary funding conditions as specified in the loan agreement (both before and after giving effect to the applicable credit extension), including that, among other things, all representations and warranties in the loan agreement are accurate, no default or event of default exists, and there has been no material adverse change since the closing date.
Bank of America can generally accelerate repayment and other obligations and exercise rights to collateral under the credit facility upon the occurrence of an event of default, including failure to timely pay principal or interest, a material inaccuracy of a representation or warranty, violation of various covenants, certain cross-defaults, the occurrence of a change in control, bankruptcy events, breach of certain loan document provisions, certain ERISA events and the entry of certain material judgments that are not stayed within a certain time period.
The loan agreement contains financial covenants as long as commitments or obligations are outstanding under the loan agreement, requiring Keytronic to maintain: (i) a fixed charge coverage ratio of at least 1.25 to 1, measured monthly on a trailing 12-month basis; and (ii) a cash flow leverage ratio of no greater than 6 to 1, which may be subject to adjustments for COVID-19 related cash expenses as approved by Bank of America, measured monthly on a trailing 12-month basis. In addition, the loan agreement contains a number of other covenants that, among other things: (x) grant certain inspection rights to Bank of America; (y) limit or restrict Keytronic’s and its subsidiaries’ cash management; and (z) limit or restrict the ability of Keytronic and its subsidiaries to incur additional liens; make acquisitions or investments; incur additional indebtedness; engage in mergers, consolidations, liquidations, dissolutions or dispositions; pay dividends or other restricted payments; prepay certain indebtedness; engage in transactions with affiliates; and use proceeds.
In connection with entering into and as required by the loan agreement, Keytronic also entered into a $5 million equipment lease loan arrangement with Bank of America relating to the company’s existing U.S. manufacturing equipment. This arrangement requires monthly payments through August 2025.