Navigating Borrowing Base, Article 9 Collateral Issues, and Key Loan Documentation
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Presenting a live 90-minute webinar with interactive Q&A Asset-Based Lending: Navigating Borrowing Base, Article 9 Collateral Issues, and Key Loan Documentation TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2018 1pm Eastern | 12pm Central | 11am Mountain | 10am Pacific Today’s faculty features: Ari B. Blaut, Partner, Sullivan & Cromwell, New York S. Neal McKnight, Partner, Sullivan & Cromwell, New York The audio portion of the conference may be accessed via the telephone or by using your computer's speakers. Please refer to the instructions emailed to registrants for additional information. If you have any questions, please contact Customer Service at 1-800-926-7926 ext. 1. Tips for Optimal Quality FOR LIVE EVENT ONLY Sound Quality If you are listening via your computer speakers, please note that the quality of your sound will vary depending on the speed and quality of your internet connection. If the sound quality is not satisfactory, you may listen via the phone: dial 1-866-873-1442 and enter your PIN when prompted. Otherwise, please send us a chat or e-mail [email protected] immediately so we can address the problem. If you dialed in and have any difficulties during the call, press *0 for assistance. Viewing Quality To maximize your screen, press the F11 key on your keyboard. To exit full screen, press the F11 key again. Continuing Education Credits FOR LIVE EVENT ONLY In order for us to process your continuing education credit, you must confirm your participation in this webinar by completing and submitting the Attendance Affirmation/Evaluation after the webinar. A link to the Attendance Affirmation/Evaluation will be in the thank you email that you will receive immediately following the program. For additional information about continuing education, call us at 1-800-926-7926 ext. 2. Program Materials FOR LIVE EVENT ONLY If you have not printed the conference materials for this program, please complete the following steps: • Click on the ^ symbol next to “Conference Materials” in the middle of the left- hand column on your screen. • Click on the tab labeled “Handouts” that appears, and there you will see a PDF of the slides for today's program. • Double click on the PDF and a separate page will open. • Print the slides by clicking on the printer icon. Asset-Based Lending Navigating Borrowing Base, Article 9 Collateral Issues and Key Loan Documentation Ari B. Blaut [email protected] S. Neal McKnight [email protected] Attorney Advertising Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Copyright ©2018 Sullivan & Cromwell LLP Overview I. What is Asset-Based Lending? II. Borrowing Base III. Collateral IV. Covenants and Key Documentation Issues 6 Copyright ©2018 Sullivan & Cromwell LLP I. What is Asset-Based Lending? 7 Copyright ©2018 Sullivan & Cromwell LLP What is ABL? • Asset-based lending (“ABL”) is a form of secured lending where borrowing capacity is based on the value of specific assets in which the lenders have a security interest • Contrasts with “cash flow lending,” where lenders look primarily to a business’s cash generation and enterprise value when determining borrowing capacity • Common forms of ABL: • Revolving credit facilities • Factoring • Availability of loans is tied to the “borrowing base”, an amount based on a percentage of the value of the company’s borrowing base assets 8 Copyright ©2018 Sullivan & Cromwell LLP Common Uses for ABL • Working Capital • Acquisitions • Capital Expenditures • Growth • Recapitalization 9 Copyright ©2018 Sullivan & Cromwell LLP Advantages for Borrowers • Reduce cost of capital by enabling companies to borrow against the value of borrowing base assets to meet working capital needs • Assets comprising borrowing base may be better credit than borrower • Benefits of diversification of risk and substituting credit of customers (e.g., obligors on receivables) • Borrowing base assets are typically the most easily convertible into cash • ABL covenants typically allow for greater operating flexibility than those of “cash flow” revolvers 10 Copyright ©2018 Sullivan & Cromwell LLP Disadvantages for Borrowers • Typically higher upfront costs to establish • More burdensome collateral reporting and valuation requirements to establish borrowing base • Because availability is limited to the borrowing base, amounts available to be borrowed may decline with fluctuations in value or amount of receivables, inventory or other borrowing base assets • Facility agents frequently have significant discretion regarding eligibility criteria for assets comprising borrowing base and to establish reserves 11 Copyright ©2018 Sullivan & Cromwell LLP Advantages for Lenders • Lenders have first priority lien on borrowing base assets (receivables, inventory), which typically are easier to turn into cash in a foreclosure scenario • Diversification of risk • Loans are over-secured due to borrowing base limits • Low historical loss rates • More favorable regulatory requirements 12 Copyright ©2018 Sullivan & Cromwell LLP II. The Borrowing Base 13 Copyright ©2018 Sullivan & Cromwell LLP Borrowing Base Overview • Borrowing base is a formula that determines the maximum amount a borrower can borrow at any given time and is based primarily on the value of “eligible assets”, less reserves • Borrower is also limited by a fixed maximum principal amount • If the borrowing base ever falls below the amount of outstanding loans, the borrower must repay the loans so that the total outstanding amount is less than or equal to the borrowing base 14 Copyright ©2018 Sullivan & Cromwell LLP Borrowing Base Assets • Assets commonly included in borrowing base include: • Accounts receivables • Inventory • Composition of borrowing base differs by transaction based on nature of the borrower’s business and assets • Less common borrowing base assets include real estate, equipment and intangibles (e.g., IP rights) 15 Copyright ©2018 Sullivan & Cromwell LLP Simplified Example of Borrowing Base Formula • Key determinants of borrowing base: • What types of assets are included? • Within each asset class, what assets are “eligible”? • What are the advance rates with respect to each class of assets? • A typical borrowing base formula might read as follows: “Borrowing Base” means, at any time of calculation, an amount equal to: (a) 85% of the book value of Eligible Receivables; plus (b) the lesser of (x) 70% of the Cost and (y) 85% of the Appraised Liquidation Value of Eligible Inventory; minus (c) the then applicable amount of all Reserves. • FILO tranches 16 Copyright ©2018 Sullivan & Cromwell LLP Borrowing Base: Eligibility • Eligibility criteria • Assets must satisfy eligibility criteria in order to be included in borrowing base calculation • Intended to exclude assets that pose higher collection risk and may not be easily sold in a foreclosure sale • Lenders push for more stringent eligibility criteria • Criteria vary based on type of asset (e.g., receivables, inventory, equipment, etc.) 17 Copyright ©2018 Sullivan & Cromwell LLP Eligibility: Receivables • Common eligibility criteria for receivables: • Receivables payable by a single customer may not exceed a specified percentage of the total borrowing base (concentration limits) • The receivable may not be past due by more than a specified number of days (usually 30, 60 or 90) • Amount of the receivable is not subject to an ongoing dispute with or offset by the customer • Receivable must be subject to a first-priority lien in favor of the lenders at all times • Frequent issues: • Concentration limits • Obligor issues • Credit card receivables 18 Copyright ©2018 Sullivan & Cromwell LLP Government Receivables • Receivables payable by the federal government are subject to the Assignment of Claims Act of 1940 • Creates procedural requirements for assignments of federal government receivables, including filing a specialized form • Government receivables typically carved out of borrowing base unless the borrower has taken all steps required under the ACA to effectively assign the receivable to the lenders • Several courts have held that failure to comply with ACA’s procedural requirements does not invalidate a security interest in receivables if otherwise properly granted and perfected under Article 9 of the UCC as between the borrower and its creditors • However, if ACA requirements are not followed, secured lenders would not be entitled to collect directly from the government and would have to rely on borrower to collect amounts and pay over to the lenders • Similar restrictions may apply to receivables payable by state or local governments under local law 19 Copyright ©2018 Sullivan & Cromwell LLP Healthcare Receivables • Medicare and Medicaid receivables are subject to 1972 federal legislation, which placed limits on healthcare providers assigning their rights to receive Medicare/Medicaid payments to third parties (the so-called “Anti-Assignment Provisions”) • Intended to prevent perceived abuse by third-party factor financing providers • Provisions have been subject of numerous court decisions and policy statement by CMS • Among other limitations, Medicare/Medicaid payments must be made directly to the healthcare provider, and cannot be paid directly into an account over which a lender has control • Legislation creates additional legal issues and complexity for healthcare receivable financings 20 Copyright ©2018 Sullivan & Cromwell LLP Healthcare Receivables Continued • These financings often use “double lockbox” structure to satisfy legal requirements while addressing lender desire for control of