UPDATE 1-Tanger closes on $235 million term loan facility

Wed Jun 11, 2008 4:50pm EDT
 
[-] Text [+]

(Adds dateline, rewrites first paragraph)

NEW YORK, June 11 (Reuters) - Tanger Factory Outlet Centers Inc (SKT.N), an owner of outlet malls, said on Wednesday it has closed on a $235 million unsecured three-year term loan facility that it will use to repay its only remaining mortgage loan.

The mortage loan has a principal balance of about $170.7 million. The real estate investment trust said it would apply the remaining $62.8 million, net of closing costs, against outstanding amounts on its unsecured lines of credit and to settle interest rate lock protection agreements.

Tanger said it would record a $8.9 million cost of the $200 million interest rate lock protection agreements as a charge to earnings and funds from operations in the second quarter.

After the mortgage is repaid this month, Tanger's entire portfolio of wholly owned properties will be unencumbered, a plus among holders of the company's unsecured bonds.

"The syndication of this unsecured term loan has provided us the opportunity to initiate a number of new banking relationships," Steven Tanger, president and chief operating officer, said in a statement. "In the current economic environment, Tanger has demonstrated it has access to attractively priced unsecured capital."

Tanger currently maintains investment grade ratings with Moody's Investors Service, which has an investment-grade rating of Baa3 stable on the company's unsecured debt, and Standard and Poor's Ratings Services, which puts it at BBB- positive. (Reporting by Ilaina Jonas; Editing by Braden Reddall)

 
Join the Reuters Consumer Insight Panel and help us get to know you better

Join the Reuters Consumer Insight Panel and help us get to know you better