PennantPark Floating Rate Capital Ltd. Closes New Securitization, Substantially Lowering Borrowing Costs

Rhea-AI Summary

PennantPark Floating Rate Capital (PFLT) has completed a $474.6 million term debt securitization through a collateralized loan obligation (CLO) with a four-year reinvestment period and twelve-year final maturity. The transaction features a weighted average spread of 159 basis points on $361 million of financing, representing a 66-basis point reduction from the previous bank facility.

This marks PFLT's lowest spread debt financing in its 14-year history. The company has expanded its investor base to over 75 unique investors across its securitization platform. The reinvestment period ends in April 2029, with debt maturity scheduled for April 2037. The term debt securitization is expected to be approximately 100% funded at close, with PFLT retaining the Class D Notes and Subordinated Notes.

PennantPark Investment Advisers currently manages approximately $3.7 billion in CLO assets. GreensLedge Capital Markets served as lead placement agent for the transaction.

Positive

• Secured lowest borrowing cost in company history with 159 basis points spread
• 66-basis point reduction in financing costs compared to previous facility
• Expanded investor base to over 75 unique investors
• Largest securitization to date at $474.6 million
• 100% funding expected at close

Negative

• None.

MIAMI, Feb. 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PennantPark Floating Rate Capital Ltd. (the “Company”) (NYSE: PFLT) today announced that it completed a $474.6 million term debt securitization transaction with a four-year reinvestment period, twelve-year final maturity in the form of a collateralized loan obligation (“CLO”).

The debt issued in this securitization transaction (the “ Debt”) is structured in the following manner:

Class	Par Amount ($ in millions)		% of Capital Structure		Coupon	Expected Rating (S&P)	Issuance Price
A-1L-A Loans	$	10,000,000	2.1	%	3 Mo SOFR + 1.49%	AAA	100.0	%
A-1L-B Loans		45,000,000	9.5	%	3 Mo SOFR + 1.49%	AAA	100.0	%
A-1 Notes		220,500,000	46.5	%	3 Mo SOFR + 1.49%	AAA	100.0	%
A-2 Notes		19,000,000	4.0	%	3 Mo SOFR + 1.60%	AAA	100.0	%
B Notes		28,500,000	6.0	%	3 Mo SOFR + 1.75%	AA	100.0	%
C Notes		38,000,000	8.0	%	3 Mo SOFR + 2.20%	A	100.0	%
D Notes		28,500,000	6.0	%	Retained	BBB-	100.0	%
Subordinated Notes		85,100,000	17.9	%		NR	NA
Total	$	474,600,000

“We are delighted to close on the lowest spread debt financing in PFLT’s 14-year history, which will support the Company’s growth and net investment income. The weighted average spread of 159 basis points on $361 million of financing is a 66-basis point reduction from the bank facility this capital is replacing. We are also thrilled about the continued momentum and positive market recognition that our senior lending strategy has received, which is demonstrative of our industry-leading team as well as the merits of our disciplined and differentiated approach to core middle market credit investing,” said Arthur Penn, Chief Executive Officer. “We are proud to have onboarded several new investors into our securitization liabilities as part of this transaction and now have over 75 unique investors across our securitization platform. With their support, we were able to issue our largest securitization to date while also achieving our lowest cost of capital to date. Together, these attributes will continue to enable and further enhance PFLT’s ability to offer attractive risk-adjusted returns to its investors. With the closing of its eleventh securitization, PennantPark Investment Advisers, LLC currently manages approximately $3.7 billion in CLO assets, and we look forward to continued growth with the support of our current and new investors.”

PFLT will continue to retain the Class D Notes and the Subordinated Notes. The reinvestment period for the term debt securitization ends no later than April 2029 and the Debt is scheduled to mature in April 2037. The term debt securitization is expected to be approximately 100% funded at close. In addition, the Company acts as retention holder in the transaction to retain exposure to the performance of the securitized assets. GreensLedge Capital Markets LLC acted as lead placement agent on the CLO transaction.

The notes offered as part of the term debt securitization have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or any state “blue sky” laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration under Section 5 of the Securities Act or an applicable exemption from such registration requirements. The CLO is a form of secured financing incurred and consolidated by the Company. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the notes in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

ABOUT PENNANTPARK FLOATING RATE CAPITAL LTD.

PennantPark Floating Rate Capital Ltd. is a business development company which primarily invests in U.S. middle-market private companies in the form of floating rate senior secured loans, including first lien secured debt, second lien secured debt and subordinated debt. From time to time, the Company may also invest in equity investments. PennantPark Floating Rate Capital Ltd. is managed by PennantPark Investment Advisers, LLC.

ABOUT PENNANTPARK INVESTMENT ADVISERS, LLC

PennantPark Investment Advisers, LLC is a leading middle-market credit platform, managing approximately $9.5 billion of investable capital, including available leverage. Since its inception in 2007, PennantPark Investment Advisers, LLC has provided investors access to middle-market credit by offering private equity firms and their portfolio companies as well as other middle-market borrowers a comprehensive range of creative and flexible financing solutions. PennantPark Investment Advisers, LLC is headquartered in Miami and has offices in New York, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, and Amsterdam.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You should understand that under Section 27A(b)(2)(B) of the Securities Act and Section 21E(b)(2)(B) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 do not apply to forward-looking statements made in periodic reports PennantPark Floating Rate Capital Ltd. files under the Exchange Act. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this press release are forward-looking statements and are not guarantees of future performance or results and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including those described from time to time in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. PennantPark Floating Rate Capital Ltd. undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statement made herein. You should not place undue influence on such forward-looking statements as such statements speak only as of the date on which they are made.

CONTACT:
Richard T. Allorto, Jr.
PennantPark Floating Rate Capital Ltd.
(212) 905-1000
www.pennantpark.com

Source: PennantPark Floating Rate Capital Ltd.

FAQ

What is the size and terms of PFLT's new securitization deal in February 2024?

PFLT completed a $474.6 million term debt securitization with a four-year reinvestment period ending April 2029 and final maturity in April 2037.

How much did PFLT reduce its borrowing costs with the new securitization?

PFLT achieved a 66-basis point reduction in borrowing costs, with a weighted average spread of 159 basis points on $361 million of financing.

How many investors does PFLT now have across its securitization platform?

PFLT has expanded to over 75 unique investors across its securitization platform.

What is the total CLO assets under management at PennantPark Investment Advisers?

PennantPark Investment Advisers currently manages approximately $3.7 billion in CLO assets.

When does PFLT's new securitization mature?

The securitization is scheduled to mature in April 2037.