Covenant-Lite | Practical Law

Covenant-Lite | Practical Law

Covenant-Lite

Covenant-Lite

Practical Law Glossary Item 0-382-3368 (Approx. 2 pages)

Glossary

Covenant-Lite

A type of loan facility which has less financial covenant restrictions than are ordinarily required. Covenant-lite loan facilities take various forms but may be broadly characterized as senior syndicated leveraged loan facilities with the following features:
  • A negative covenant package similar to (or based on) those used in high-yield bonds which are usually given on an incurrence rather than maintenance basis. The effect is to loosen the lender's control since incurrence tests must be met only at the time of a specific event (such as the incurrence of debt) rather than the traditional maintenance test which must be met at all times or at periodic intervals.
  • No financial covenants; or financial covenants (usually the leverage ratio) that apply to the revolving loans only (and not the term loans).