Michael Levy View bio

David Zafft 

A Time for Conversation With Your Lender – What to Ask and What to Ask For

As we move into the second quarter of 2020, companies are faced with assessing the negative impacts of the COVID-19 virus on their financial and operational performance. Most companies are seeing a significant decline in revenue and are having to react quickly to adjust their cost and expense structure to the current economic situation.

If you are a company with leverage, you have probably already been in touch with your lender to discuss any immediate needs for liquidity and negative impacts on your business. Now comes the bigger question of what amendments are necessary to your loan agreement in order to allow you to move ahead and manage your business through the COVID-19 crisis.

Lenders have a vested interest in your operational and financial success. Our sense over the past few weeks is that lenders have the attitude that “We are all in this together.” As such, it is imperative that you establish and maintain trust with your lender. The more open, honest and frank you are with your lender, the better chance you have in maintaining the lender’s support of your business through the downturn.

The first step in establishing and maintaining this trust is to know your situation and know what terms and conditions are in your loan agreement. From a business and operational perspective, do you have a strong enough balance sheet to survive the next quarter with any anticipated (or unanticipated) decline in your quarterly revenue run rate? Do you know the length of your cash conversion cycle? Do you have a budget process? Do you perform scenario planning to understand the most sensitive assumptions in your budget? Do you have a system in place to monitor your key performance indicators and performance in real time? Have you read and do you understand the requirements of your loan agreement? Once you have, you can establish where you are and what amendments or waivers you should ask for with respect to your loan agreement.

All loan agreements are different, and you will need to review the provisions carefully as definitions, covenants and defaults vary significantly from deal to deal. However, we have identified the following four general areas of your loan agreement that will be most impacted by the financial stresses resulting from COVID-19: Upcoming Payments and Amortization; Financial Covenants and Definitions; Reporting Requirements and Notices; and Events of Default. Additionally, if you have a revolving credit facility, you will also need to review the conditions to future borrowing under your loan agreement in order to ensure you meet all of the specified conditions required to receive a future advance, which we have described in the section titled "Conditions to Borrowings in Revolving Loans” below.[1] 

Upcoming Payments and Amortization

While most loan agreements provide for monthly payments of interest, there may be additional payments due under the loan agreement, particularly if your facility has a term loan component. Two of the most common are principal amortization payments and excess cash flow sweeps. Loan agreements may also require mandatory prepayments although this is less common.

What do I have?

Review your loan agreement carefully to determine if there are any payments due under your loan agreement during the next two quarters. Some examples of common payments are:

• Principal amortization payments
• Excess cash flow sweeps (which would typically be due by the end of April 2020 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019)
• Additional mandatory prepayments that could be due as a result of any anticipated asset sales, incurrence of additional debt (including under the CARES Act or PPP program (described below), insurance proceeds (including business interruption insurance), proceeds of equity issuances or extraordinary receipts (such as tax refunds or indemnification payments)

What do I ask for?

We have seen lenders regularly waive principal amortization payments at least through the second quarter of 2020 and excess cash flow payments during 2020.

Waivers of mandatory prepayments will need to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. However, so long as the circumstances giving rise to the mandatory prepayments do not negatively impact the ongoing earning power of the business, lenders seem to be willing to waive these prepayments. Specifically, lenders should be willing to waive any mandatory prepayment required as a result of the receipt of proceeds of an equity issuance, business interruption insurance and any government relief loan (including under the CARES Act or PPP Program)[2].

Additionally, if there is an issue with payments of monthly interest, we have seen some lenders be willing to allow a portion of the interest to be “paid-in-kind” by adding such interest to the balance of the loan for a short period of time.

Financial Covenants and EBITDA Definitions

While a loan agreement may have any number of financial covenants, the two of the more common covenants are the leverage ratio and the fixed charge coverage ratio. Both of these covenants are centered on EBITDA. EBITDA is generally intended to approximate the normalized free cash flow of a business that is not distorted by irregular gains, losses, or other items.

What do I have?

At its most basic form, EBITDA will be calculated as consolidated net income (earnings) plus the sum of interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. However, there may be additional one-time non-recurring items which are often referred to as “add-backs”. Common add-backs that could be applicable to COVID-19 disruptions include the following:

• Add-backs for non-recurring, extraordinary and unusual expenses. While these are typically viewed as relating to one-time events, the scope of these add-backs could be tested in connection with add-backs justified on the basis of the impact of COVID-19.
• Add-backs for non-cash charges. This add-back could encompass such non-cash items as impairment of goodwill.
• Add-backs for restructuring charges. These could include severance and other legal costs incurred in order to address COVID-19-related changes in the business.
• Other add-backs unrelated to COVID-19. Add-backs relating to synergies, consolidation and others that are not directly related to COVID-19 could be utilized to improve EBITDA. Companies may also choose to avail themselves of the flexibility to manage the timing of add-backs unrelated to COVID-19 in order to counteract a decline in EBITDA due to COVID-19. For example, a business that has a planned initiative to consolidate two locations in the medium- to long-term may choose to bring forward that consolidation into the near-term in order to benefit from the run-rate cost savings associated with the consolidation.

What do I ask for?

Once you have evaluated your current add-backs and your projections of covenant compliance, you should consider asking your lender for additional add-backs or other amendments to financial covenants related to COVID-19 disruptions.
In some instances, we have seen lenders agree to a broad add-back not only for costs and expenses associated with COVID-19, but also lost earnings associated with COVID-19.[3] 

In other instances, we have seen lenders amend the financial covenant levels without modifying the definition of EBITDA. Since financial covenants are most often measured on a trailing 12-month basis, it is important to keep in mind that the impacts of COVID-19 will affect covenant calculations until at least the second quarter of 2021, and the covenant levels should be adjusted accordingly.

More specific add-backs may be appropriate, either as an alternative to or in addition to a broader COVID-19 addback. Some examples of other specific add-backs include the following:

• Specific add-back for all or some portion of lost revenue. Any add-back for pro-forma revenue lost due to COVID-19 should be calculated on the lost margin that would have been realized on those sales.
• Direct and specific costs relating to COVID-19. These include items such as the cost of upgrading IT infrastructure for initiatives designed to allow employees to work remotely.
• Add-backs for any amounts received from Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). PPP Loans are unsecured loans which may be used for operating expenses and are forgivable under the terms of the PPP program. Thus, any amounts received under the PPP program and used to pay operating expenses should be an add-back to EBITDA for that period. Although, it is worth noting that your lender may ask that any amounts required to be prepaid under the PPP program be deducted from EBITDA in the period repaid.[4]
• Add-backs to EBITDA for any equity injections made by owners into the business
• Add-backs for the amount of any proceeds of business interruption insurance

It goes without saying that any add-backs to financial covenants should be factual and supportable and your lender will want to verify that the add-backs are truly related to the extraordinary disruptions arising out of COVID-19 and are not being used to mask larger problems. 
Reporting Requirements and Notices

Loan agreements contain many provisions relating to notices and reporting that is required to be delivered to the lender from time to time. As we mentioned above, during this time of disruption, your lender is your partner and so there should be a regular flow of information. However, there are certain reporting requirements and notices that you should be particularly concerned about.

What do I have?

You should review the reporting requirements to determine the following:

• (i) The date when audited financial statements are due to the lender (typically within 90-120 days of year-end), (ii) whether a “going concern” is prohibited in the auditor’s report and (iii) whether a certification of no default by the auditors (which is uncommon but still required in some loan agreements) is required. You should additionally discuss these requirements with your auditors.
• When monthly or quarterly financial statements are due under the loan agreement and what certifications are required in connection with the delivery of financial statements. Certifications could include:
  • That no default or event of default (however defined in the loan agreement) has occurred and is continuing. 
  • A “bring-down” of the representations and warranties under the loan agreement. If this is the case, you should review the representations and warranties carefully, particularly any representations regarding the solvency of the business, no default under material contracts and that no material adverse effect has occurred.
    • Typically, solvency is defined as the ability to pay debts as they become due, that assets exceed liabilities and that the company does not have unreasonably small capital. Each prong of the solvency representation should be evaluated to ensure that you can make the representation.
    • The material adverse effect definition is very fact specific and you should pay particular attention to the use of the words “will”, “”might”, “may” or “could reasonably be expected to”.[5]
• Any notices required of adverse events such as terminations of, or defaults under, material contracts or other events resulting in a material adverse effect.
• Any notices of defaults or events of default. Defaults include items which, through notice or the passage of time, will result in an event of default. Therefore, you should pay particular attention to what constitutes an event of default, including whether this includes the failure to comply with financial covenants.

One frequently asked question is when the failure to meet financial covenants becomes a “default” or an “event of default” under the loan agreement triggering the requirement to report a default or event of default. For example, borrowers frequently ask whether the reporting requirement is triggered when it knows it cannot meet its financial covenants, on the last day of the quarter end, or when it delivers the required financial statements and compliance certificate to the lender.

Generally, the reporting requirement is triggered when the borrower becomes aware of the default or event of default. There is very little case law on this subject, but in the context of a certification by a borrower that no default or event of default has occurred, the borrower must have a good faith basis to make such certification. If the borrower knows it cannot meet the financial covenants, it becomes questionable whether the borrower can make the “no default” certification in good faith, even if the borrower makes the certification prior to the end of a financial quarter measurement. Thus, it is best practice to notify your lender as soon as possible if there is no good faith basis to believe you will meet the requirements of your financial covenants.

The ambiguity surrounding certain covenants and reporting requirements in loan agreements emphasizes the need for open and honest communication with your lender and being proactive in seeking amendments or waivers under your loan agreement.

What do I ask for?

In order to avoid defaulting under your loan agreement, we suggest asking your lender to amend the following provisions:

• Delivery of audited financial statements. We have seen lenders enter into conversations regarding (1) relaxing the going concern provisions and “no default” certification, (2) granting extensions of audited financial statements for 2019 to a delivery date more than 120 and potentially 150 days after year end and (3) assessing a revised operating budget and forecast taking into account COVID-19 economic factors.

• Definition of Material Adverse Effect. We recommend requesting that the definition of material adverse effect be amended to explicitly exclude any material adverse effect from COVID-19. Lenders may allow this exclusion to apply to the entire definition of material adverse effect or may limit the exclusion to the financial condition of the borrower (as opposed to the borrower’s ability to repay the loans).
• Representations and Warranties. We recommend requesting specific qualifications to the representations and warranties to the extent you identify issues that will not allow you to “bring-down” the representations and warranties for future advances.

Events of Default

Events of default under loan agreements may include cross defaults to other indebtedness, particularly defaults under material contracts or litigation or a general material adverse effect default.

What do I have?

You should identify particular events of default that have been or may be triggered.

What do I ask for?

Depending on the specific event of default, your lender may be willing to waive the event of default altogether or amend the applicable provision in the loan agreement so that you are no longer in default.

For example, if the default is an “early warning” where a breach of a material contract or agreement relating to other indebtedness has occurred, the lender may be willing to amend the event of default so that it is triggered only upon an actual termination of a material contract or acceleration of other indebtedness. Additionally, in this case, you should also ensure your loan agreement is amended to provide that any cure or waiver of the underlying default under the material contract or agreement relating to other indebtedness also cures the default under your loan agreement.

If your loan agreement has a material adverse effect default, we also recommend amending the definition to exclude the effects of COVID-19, as discussed above.

Conditions to Borrowings in Revolving Loans

With respect to loan agreements relating to revolving credit facilities, a borrower generally must “bring down” the representations and warranties made at the initial closing, certify that no default or event of default exists and certify that no material adverse effect has occurred.

What do I have?

Review the conditions precedent to borrowing under the revolver carefully to determine what conditions and certifications are required.

What do I ask for?

See the discussions regarding the representations and warranties, certifications as to no default or event of default and modifications to the material adverse effect definition discussed under “Reporting and Notices” above.

About Aprio
Aprio is a premier full-service, CPA-led business advisory firm based in Atlanta, Georgia, that advises clients and associates on how to achieve what’s next. Aprio’s associates work as integrated teams across advisory, assurance, tax, outsourced accounting solutions and private client services, bringing the best thinking and personal commitment to each client. Across practices, Aprio brings together proven expertise, deep understanding and strategic foresight for industries including Manufacturing and Distribution; Non-Profit and Education; Professional Services; Real Estate and Construction; Retail, Franchise and Hospitality; and Technology and Biosciences. To serve clients wherever life or business may take them, Aprio’s teams speak more than 30 languages and work with clients in over 40 countries. In addition to its Atlanta headquarters, Aprio also operates in Birmingham, Ala. and Sarasota, Fla. and across the Carolinas. For more, visit www.aprio.com.

About Aprio's Authors

Michael Levy is the partner responsible for Aprio's Transaction Advisory Services practice. Michael has assisted both financial and strategic clients in domestic and international merger, acquisition and divestiture transactions. In his capacity as the leader of Transaction Advisory Services, Michael’s primary responsibilities include assisting clients with developing structures, performing accounting and tax buy-side and sell-side due diligence, closing assistance and post-transaction integration assistance.
To reach Michael, call 770.353.7168.

David Zafft is a director in Aprio’s Transaction Advisory Services practice. David has approximately 20 years of audit and merger and acquisition due diligence and valuation experience. David’s primary responsibilities include assisting clients with performing buy-side and sell-side due diligence, transaction closing assistance and post-close integration assistance, including valuation, synergy realization and capital structure alignment. Further, David provides valuation and financial modeling services for financial reporting, M&A, restructuring and tax documentation purposes.
To reach David, call 770.353.5075.