H&R Block unit again taps credit line,for $250 mln

NEW YORK, Sept 25 (Reuters) - H&R Block Inc (HRB.N), the largest U.S. tax preparer, on Tuesday said a unit drew down $250 million from its bank credit lines because it couldn't sell short-term debt, in at least the third drawdown in six weeks.

The company in a regulatory filing said its Block Financial Corp. unit on Monday borrowed the sum from credit facilities that total $2 billion and mature on Aug. 10, 2010.

H&R Block said the borrowings "provide a more stable source of funds to support Block Financial Corp's short-term needs in light of recent market conditions that have negatively impacted the availability and term of commercial paper."

Last month, Kansas City, Missouri-based H&R Block said Block Financial drew down $200 million from working capital on Aug. 16, and repaid it with a draw of $850 million four days later.

H&R Block lost $736.2 million in the 15 months ended July 31. It is trying to salvage a sale of all or part of its money-losing Option One Mortgage Corp. unit to private equity firm Cerberus Capital Management LP. On Sept. 6, a slate proposed by dissident shareholder Richard Breeden won three seats on H&R Block's board of directors.

Shares of H&R Block closed Monday at $20.77 on the New York Stock Exchange. They have fallen 9.9 percent this year. (Reporting by Jonathan Stempel)