HJ Sims Accomplishes an Intricate and Multi-faceted Refinancing for Aldersgate

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Tara Perkins, AVP | 203-418-9049 | [email protected]

HJ Sims Accomplishes an Intricate and Multi-faceted Refinancing for Aldersgate

FAIRFIELD, CT– HJ Sims (Sims), a privately held investment bank and wealth management firm founded in 1935, is pleased to announce the successful closing of a July 2021 refinancing for $44,025,000 for Aldersgate United Methodist Retirement Community (Aldersgate), a continuing care retirement community in Charlotte, NC.

Sims partnered with Aldersgate in 2019 with a financing for Generations at Shalom Park. In 2020, Sims identified a refunding opportunity for Aldersgate’s outstanding Series 2013 Bonds. In 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) eliminated advance refundings using tax-exempt municipal bonds. Therefore, Sims utilized Cinderella Bonds, which would be taxable until the optional redemption date, after which the bonds would convert to tax-exempt, complying with TCJA. Sims proposed that the Cinderella Bonds be purchased by a commercial bank, eliminating the debt service reserve fund requirement for the Series 2013 Bonds. Sims customized the amortization schedule to optimize Aldersgate’s aggregate Maximum Annual Debt Service (MADS) creating an $185,000 in reduced MADS.

In 2021, Aldersgate pursued the Cinderella financing with Sims serving as Placement Agent. Sims and Aldersgate’s financial advisor, Pearl Creek Advisors, conducted a large bank solicitation and held a virtual site visit, requesting proposals for refinancing Aldersgate’s outstanding Series 2017B Bank Debt, which was privately held by Truist Bank. The goals of this refinancing included extending the put date, lowering the credit spread by 80 bps, and eliminating variable interest rate risk. 

Sims and Pearl Creek Advisors negotiated with multiple banks on behalf of Aldersgate to receive the most competitive terms, selecting Truist Bank, whose commitment featured attractive interest rates, a 12-year commitment period, covenants that largely conformed to Aldersgate’s master trust indenture, and a SOFR- (Secured Overnight Financing Rate) based loan. Sims coordinated with Aldersgate’s swap advisor, KPM Financial, to structure three SOFR-based swaps and to terminate the existing Series 2017B swap. The refinancing of the Series 2017B Bank Debt included a tax-exempt swap.

Aldersgate and Truist closed on the $28,685,000 Series 2021A Bonds to defease the Series 2013 Bonds and the $15,340,000 Series 2021B Bonds to refinance the Series 2017B Bank Debt. The Cinderella Bonds offer about $250,000 or $3,889,019 in total savings. The refinancing of the Series 2017B Bank Debt extended the put date by six years, eliminated interest rate risk through the commitment, and lowered the all-in swap rate from 3.9215% to 2.587%. Aldersgate increased its debt service coverage ratio by 0.14 bps.

“It was a pleasure and gift having Sims lead our organization through a successful refinancing. Sims has exceptional technical skills and provided our various stakeholders clear guidance and wise counsel every step. Their processes and people truly create an experience of allowing for alignment of the end goal being accomplished, with honoring our mission and the strategic vision to which we are committed. We are grateful for our partnership with Sims and look forward to future opportunities to work side-by-side toward exciting outcomes for the future of Aldersgate,” Suzanne Pugh, President/CEO, Aldersgate.

Financed Right® Solutions—Tom Bowden: 804.398.8577 | [email protected] or David Saustad: 214.909.8588 | [email protected]

ABOUT HJ SIMS: Founded in 1935, HJ Sims is a privately held investment bank and wealth management firm. Headquartered in Fairfield, CT, Sims has nationwide investment banking, private wealth management and trading locations. Member FINRA, SIPC. Testimonials may not be representative of another client’s experience. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.  Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter,  Instagram.

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The FBI Criminal Investigative Division and the United States Securities and Exchange Commission’s Office of Investor Education and Advocacy (OIEA) warn of fraudsters

As released by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission on July 27, 2021

The FBI Criminal Investigative Division and the United States Securities and Exchange Commission’s Office of Investor Education and Advocacy (OIEA) warn of fraudsters swindling investors while pretending to be registered brokers or investment advisers.

Fraudsters may falsely claim to be registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) or a state securities regulator in order to lure investors into scams, or even impersonate real investment professionals who actually are registered with these organizations. Fraudsters may misappropriate the name, address, registration number, logo, photo, or website likeness of a currently or previously registered firm or investment professional. They try to trick investors into believing that they are registered by using a number of tactics, including the following:

  • “Spoofed Websites.” Fraudsters may set up websites using URL addresses or names similar to those of registered firms or investment professionals to trick investors into believing that the fraudsters are registered or that the fraudsters are affiliated with a registered firm or investment professional.
  • Fake Profiles on Social Media. Fraudsters may set up profiles impersonating registered investment professionals on popular social media platforms and then message investors to solicit their money.
  • Cold Calling. Fraudsters may set up boiler rooms with teams of people cold calling investors to solicit their money while claiming to be employees of registered firms. The fraudsters may use technology to make it appear they are calling from the firm’s location.
  • Misrepresenting or Falsifying Documents. Fraudsters may recruit investors by misrepresenting that their firm was registered with the SEC, including pointing to the firm’s Form D filings to support the misrepresentation (to learn more, read this OIEA Investor Alert). Fraudsters may solicit investors by impersonating a registered investment professional and generating a fake version of a public report using the professional’s name and CRD number (to learn more, read this FINRA Investor Alert).

Registration of Investment Professionals. Many sellers of investment products or services are either brokers, investment advisers, or both. Most brokers must register with the SEC and join FINRA. Investment advisers that provide investment advice to retail investors generally must register with the SEC or the state securities regulator where they have their principal place of business.

Verify the identity of anyone offering you an investment. Don’t rely on the website or contact information the person provides you. If you suspect someone is falsely claiming to be registered with the SEC, do not give the person any money and do not share your personal information. Report the person to the SEC.

To quickly and easily check if someone offering you an investment is currently licensed or registered, use the search tool on Investor.gov. Once you confirm that the seller is licensed or registered, make sure you are not dealing with an imposter. Contact the seller using contact information you verify independently – for example, by using a phone number or website listed in the firm’s Client Relationship Summary (Form CRS) – rather than relying on contact information the seller provides you. To ensure you are looking at a genuine copy of the firm’s Form CRS, follow these steps:

  1. In the “Check Out Your INVESTMENT PROFESSIONAL” search box on Investor.gov, select “Firm” from the drop down options and type in the name of the firm.
  2. In the search results, click on the relevant firm and then click on “Get Details.”
  3. Click on “Relationship Summary” or “Part 3 Relationship Summary.”

For additional information about Form CRS, visit investor.gov/CRS.

Watch Out for Red Flags             

Regardless of whether someone claims to be registered with the SEC, beware if you spot these warning signs of an investment scam:

  • Guaranteed High Investment Returns. Promises of high investment returns – often accompanied by a guarantee of little or no risk – is a classic sign of fraud. Every investment has risk, and the potential for high returns usually comes with high risk.
  • Unsolicited Offers. Unsolicited offers (you didn’t ask for it and don’t know the sender) to earn investment returns that seem “too good to be true” may be part of a scam.
  • Red flags in Payment Methods for Investments.
    • Credit Cards. Most licensed and registered investment firms do not allow their customers to use credit cards to invest.
    • Digital Asset Wallets and “Cryptocurrencies.” Licensed and registered financial firms typically do not require their customers to use digital asset wallets or digital assets, including so-called “cryptocurrencies,” to invest.
    • Wire Transfers and Checks. If you pay for an investment by wire transfer or check, be suspicious if you’re being asked to send or to make the payment out to a person or to a different firm, the address is suspicious (for example, an online search for the address suggests it is not an office building where the firm operates), or you are told to note that the payment is for a purpose unrelated to the investment (for example, medical expenses or a loan to a family member). If you wire money outside of the United States for an investment that turns out to be a scam, you likely will never see your money again. 

Report possible securities fraud to the SEC at www.sec.gov/tcr. Report online fraud to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at https://www.ic3.gov.

The SEC maintains a list of Impersonators of Genuine Firms. This list is not exhaustive – firms may be impersonated even if they are not on the list.

FINRA staff issued an article about imposter schemes.

More information about online frauds and investment scams can be found at www.fbi.gov or Investor.gov, the SEC’s website for individual investors.    

You can contact the SEC’s Office of Investor Education and Advocacy (OIEA) by phone at 1-800-732-0330, using this online form, or via email at [email protected]. 

Receive Investor Alerts and Bulletins from OIEA by email or RSS feed. Follow OIEA on Twitter @SEC_Investor_Ed. Like OIEA on Facebook at facebook.com/secinvestoreducation.

This alert represents the views of the staff of the Office of Investor Education and Advocacy. It is not a rule, regulation, or statement of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”). The Commission has neither approved nor disapproved its content. This bulletin, like all staff guidance, has no legal force or effect: it does not alter or amend applicable law, and it creates no new or additional obligations for any person.

HJ Sims Advises Poydras Home on Expansion Project, Community Improvements and Refinancing

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Tara Perkins, AVP | 203-418-9049 | [email protected]

HJ Sims Advises Poydras Home on Expansion Project, Community Improvements and Refinancing

 FAIRFIELD, CT– HJ Sims (Sims), a privately held investment bank and wealth management firm founded in 1935, is pleased to announce the successful closing of a May 2021 financing in the amount of $23,340,000 for Poydras Home (Poydras), a continuing care retirement community in New Orleans, LA.

Opened in 1857, Poydras now consists of 10 independent living units, 22 assisted living units, 11 memory care units and 64 private nursing care beds. Poydras will replace all 64 nursing units with a small-house model and add 14 new assisted living units across two three-story buildings. Poydras engaged Sims to assist in developing a plan of finance, and to navigate and plan for operations post-COVID-19.

Poydras will be the first certified Green House project in Louisiana, featuring an innovative Green Home model of care where the resident’s needs are at the center of all decisions. This person-centered approach provides residents with individualized care and higher levels of satisfaction. The Green Homes will be housed in two new three-story buildings on the campus. Building 1 will feature three nursing care households with 12 residents, and Building 2 will be comprised of two nursing care households with 14 residents and one assisted living memory care household with 14 residents. Each home will offer private bedrooms and baths, open-concept kitchen, dining room, living room, den, and outdoor space overlooking gardens.

Sims evaluated plans of finance and structured two taxable loans with a commercial bank. Poydras sought to refinance the organization’s outstanding loan to create debt service savings. Sims coordinated with management and the Board of Poydras on a strategy that combined their two financing goals: funding their new project (Construction Loan), and refinancing their existing loan (Refinancing Loan). Sims led the bank RFP process, selecting Hancock Whitney as the preferred banking partner. As well, Poydras was notified that their planned construction contractor would be unable to complete the project; therefore, Sims worked closely with the team to revise the plan of finance and secure a new construction partner.

Poydras Home, Sims, and Hancock Whitney closed the $23.34 million financing, which consisted of a $16.50 million taxable draw-down construction loan and a $6.84 million taxable refunding loan. Hancock Whitney served as the commercial lending partner for both loans. The Series Construction Loan was issued with a 25-year principal amortization and 10-year term with a 24-month capitalized interest period and a forward-starting swap drawdown structure to provide significant savings. The Refunding Loan was issued with a 25-year term with a significant rate premium to break the existing swap.

“Poydras was impressed with the responsiveness of our partners at Sims in resolving questions and concerns when working with an active Board of Directors, during a building supply shortage, an uncertain economic landscape, a pandemic and via Zoom. The process was much less stressful than our previous transactions, and we left knowing we got a great deal for the future of our mission at Poydras. Our duty is to provide the best care for our elders and to protect the assets of Poydras, which will be met with this expansion. We are grateful for Sims’ expertise,” said Erin Kolb, CEO, Poydras.

Financed Right® Solutions—James Rester: 901.652.7378 | [email protected] or Ryan Snow: 843.870.4081 | [email protected]

 ABOUT HJ SIMS: Founded in 1935, HJ Sims is a privately held investment bank and wealth management firm. Headquartered in Fairfield, CT, Sims has nationwide investment banking, private wealth management and trading locations. Member FINRA, SIPC. Testimonials may not be representative of another client’s experience. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.  Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter,  Instagram.

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Asbury Communities Partners Again with HJ Sims to Achieve Savings

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE       

CONTACT: Tara Perkins, AVP | 203-418-9049 | [email protected]

Asbury Communities Partners Again with HJ Sims to Achieve Savings  

FAIRFIELD, CT– HJ Sims (Sims), a privately held investment bank and wealth management firm founded in 1935, is pleased to announce the successful closing of a June 2021 financing for $47,615,000 for Asbury Communities, Inc. (Asbury), which owns/operates life plan communities in PA, MD, and TN, HUD Section 202 senior housing, a foundation and a technology consulting firm. The facilities included in its PA and MD Obligated Groups are owned/operated by Asbury Atlantic, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Asbury.

Asbury’s PA Obligated Group (PA Obligated Group) is comprised of two life plan communities – Bethany Village Retirement Center (Bethany) in Mechanicsburg, PA, and Springhill in Erie, PA. Bethany includes two campuses with 400 independent and 100 assisted living units, and a 69-bed skilled nursing center and amenities. Springhill has 158 independent living and 35 personal care units, and an 80-bed skilled nursing facility.

Sims served as underwriter for several Asbury transactions, including a $59.5 million financing in 2019 and a 2020 refinancing. The objectives were to maximize debt service savings while minimizing/eliminating renewal risk associated with traditional commercial bank financings. Sims recommended a hybrid finance plan with benefits of a traditional bank loan and a fixed rate bond issuance. 

The refinancing of the Series 2012 Bonds consisted of a bank loan in the amount of $20,380,000 and tax-exempt fixed-rate bonds in the amount of $27,235,000. The bank loan utilized the Cinderella Bond structure, with initial issuance on a taxable basis until eligible for conversion to a tax-exempt rate in October 2021. The favorable cost of capital and the loan fully amortizing over a 12-year term eliminates need to refinance the debt. A forward starting interest rate swap was arranged, set to initiate upon conversion to a tax-exempt interest rate, resulting in a synthetically fixed rate for the bank loan. 

A forward commitment for the fixed-rate bond portion refinanced the remainder of Series 2012 Bonds with principal amortization beginning following maturity of the bank loan. The structure leveraged a favorable interest rate to lock-in pricing. Asbury sought to maintain savings as rates continued to rise targeting at least 10% savings. The taxable loan will be refinanced by a tax-exempt bank loan and the tax-exempt bonds will be delivered October 4, 2021. The loan and Series 2021 Bonds maintained level debt service for the PA Obligated Group for the remaining life of the bonds, providing savings of 11.73%.

For the PA Obligated Group, the aggregate $47,615,000 Series 2021 Bonds are projected to generate $400,000+ of annual debt service savings through 2041 and net present value (NPV) savings of $5.5 million. Inclusion of the bank improved Asbury’s savings relative to a fixed rate forward refunding structure for the full refinancing by providing approximately 20% of the total NPV savings, lowering cost of capital and interest expense while maintaining certainty of future debt service for the life of the bonds.

“Once again, Sims helped Asbury navigate through a complicated transaction, which lowered interest costs while maintaining existing covenants and all other material debt terms,” said Andrew Jeanneret, CFO, Asbury.

Financed Right®: Aaron Rulnick: 203.418.9008 | [email protected]  or Melissa Messina: 203.418.9015 | [email protected].

 

ABOUT HJ SIMS: Founded in 1935, HJ Sims is a privately held investment bank and wealth management firm. Headquartered in Fairfield, CT, Sims has nationwide investment banking, private wealth management and trading locations. Member FINRA, SIPC. Testimonials may not be representative of another client’s experience. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.  Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter,  Instagram.

 

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An Investment Opportunity: LifeSpire of Virginia

Lifespire of Virginia Logo
Lifespire of Virginia logo

$83,715,000*
VIRGINIA SMALL BUSINESS FINANCING AUTHORITY

Residential Care Facilities Revenue and Refunding Bonds
LifeSpire of Virginia
SERIES 2021

HJ Sims is pleased to serve as senior underwriter for tax-exempt Series 2021 revenue and refunding bonds on behalf of LifeSpire of Virginia, a not-for-profit organization currently comprised of four senior living properties and a foundation committed to supporting its communities through fundraising.

Virginia Baptist Homes, Inc. d.b.a. LifeSpire of Virginia and its Obligated Group currently operate four Life Plan Communities in Virginia with a total of 763 independent living units, 203 assisted living units, 82 memory care units and 227 skilled nursing units. These communities include:

  • The Culpeper—Culpeper, Virginia
  • Lakewood—Richmond, Virginia
  • The Chesapeake—Newport News, Virginia
  • The Glebe—Daleville, Virginia

While each LifeSpire community features a unique setting and benefits, all share a single mission of empowering individuals with choices in purposeful living and a value system that reflects the ideals of faith, servant-leadership, stewardship, peace of mind, innovation and joy.

About the Bonds

  • Series 2021
    • $83,715,000*
    • Fitch Rated “BBB” Stable Outlook
    • Bonds are exempt from Federal Income Tax and exempt from State of Virginia Income Tax
    • Denominations of $5,000
    • Interest will be payable on June 1 and December 1 of each year, commencing December 1, 2021
    • First principal payment: December 1, 2021

Project

  • Acquire The Summit CCRC (IL/AL only), located in Lynchburg, Virginia
  • Refund outstanding bank debt
  • Develop additional independent living cottages at Lakewood and The Culpeper communities

Security

  • Secured by gross revenues and mortgage
  • Proposed Series 2021 Bonds will be secured on a parity basis with existing indebtedness and the 2021 Taxable Loan

 Key Financial Covenants

  • 1.20x Debt Service Coverage Ratio; tested annually
  • 120 Days Cash on Hand; tested semi-annually
  • Event of Default if DSRC is below 1.00x for two consecutive fiscal years

We are currently accepting indications of interest for these tax-exempt bonds with an expected pricing the week of August 2, 2021, and anticipated settlement during the week of August 16, 2021. For more information including risks, please read the Preliminary Official Statement in its entirety. If you have interest in purchasing these bonds, please contact your HJ Sims financial professional as soon as possible.

LEARN MORE
888.978.1754

*Subject to change

No dealer, broker, salesperson, or other person has been authorized to give any information or to make any representation other than those contained in the Preliminary Official Statement and, if given or made, such other information or representation should not be relied upon as having been authorized by the Issuer, the Borrower, or the Underwriters. The information set forth herein has been obtained from the Issuer, Borrower, and other sources that are believed to be reliable, but is not guaranteed as to accuracy or completeness by, and is not construed as a representation of, the Underwriters. The information contained herein is subject to change without notice. Under no circumstances shall this constitute an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. Any offering or solicitation will be made only to investors pursuant to the Preliminary Official Statement, which should be read in its entirety. Investments involve risk including the possible loss of principal. HJ Sims is a member of FINRA and SIPC, and is not affiliated with Virginia Baptist Homes, Inc.

HJ Sims Provides High-leverage Acquisition Financing for a Utah Senior Living Community

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  

CONTACT: Tara Perkins, AVP | 203-418-9049 | [email protected]

HJ Sims Provides High-leverage Acquisition Financing for a Utah Senior Living Community

FAIRFIELD, CT– HJ Sims (Sims), a privately held investment bank and wealth management firm founded in 1935, is pleased to announce that it recently provided a high leverage bridge loan for the successful acquisition of a Utah senior living community.

The community has been the most recognized option for seniors housing in its local market and will continue to care for long-time residents that in some cases, come from miles away. Featuring 55 units of assisted living and memory care, the community features mountain views from its hilltop location in a thriving and growing local market.

A regional owner, operator and developer of seniors housing communities, with 15+ years of experience, partnered with Sims to close on the acquisition. The well-established group specializes in assisted living and currently manages over 1,600 units in more than 25 communities across five states in the Mountain West region. The sponsor has deep local knowledge and is well experienced in bringing that local touch to their communities, making it truly feel like home for all of their residents. With a strong understanding, and insight into the major primary markets and growing secondary markets in the region, the group’s local knowledge and operational expertise provides a clear strategy in expanding their geographical reach. This addition to their growing portfolio is an ideal fit.

Seeking a high-leverage acquisition loan and the ability to close under tight timing constraints, the owner/operator approached Sims for the solution. Partnering with Live Oak Bank, Sims provided a high-leverage bridge loan to fund the acquisition, and arranged funds for capital improvements at the property. The first mortgage was structured as an A/B uni-tranche loan, acting as a single debt obligation with one set of loan documents and one monthly mortgage payment.

The high-leverage A/B structure proved to be different from a conventional bank loan, allowing the operator to increase their ownership and avoid involving additional equity partners. The loan was structured with an interest-only period, allowing the group to limit debt service expense over the near term. The loan included an upfront debt service reserve, which allowed the first payment to be pushed out enabling the borrower to focus immediate, out-of-pocket expenses on capital improvements at the property, prioritizing the upgrade of the community.

The “outside-of-the-box” customized financing structure helps the long-time operator preserve strategic

capital for additional growth opportunities and for the support of other communities in their portfolio. A principal and co-founder of the group commented, “Sims not only provided a unique solution that helped us reduce the need for outside investors that would dilute our ownership, but met the timing constraints that were so important to everyone involved.”

Sims excels in providing customized, timely financing solutions for communities across the country, allowing owners and operators to focus on providing quality senior living at their communities.

Financed Right® Solutions—Jeff Sands: [email protected] or 203.418.9002 | Brady Johnson: [email protected] or  949.558.8297 | Curtis King: [email protected] or 512.519.5003 | Brett Edwards: [email protected] or 512.519.5001

 ABOUT HJ SIMS: Founded in 1935, HJ Sims is a privately held investment bank and wealth management firm. Headquartered in Fairfield, CT, Sims has nationwide investment banking, private wealth management and trading locations. Member FINRA, SIPC. Testimonials may not be representative of another client’s experience. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.  Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter,  Instagram.

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HJ Sims Partners with Westminster Village as Investment Bank and Swap Advisor Helps Community Accomplish a Refinancing

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  

CONTACT: Tara Perkins, AVP | 203-418-9049 | [email protected]

HJ Sims Partners with Westminster Village as Investment Bank and Swap Advisor Helps Community Accomplish a Refinancing

FAIRFIELD, CT– HJ Sims (Sims), a privately held investment bank and wealth management firm founded in 1935, is pleased to announce the successful June 2021 Direct Bond Placement in the amount of $60,515,000 for Westminster Village (WVWL) in West Lafayette, IN.

WVWL was established in 1976 and subsequently formed into a not-for-profit Life Plan Community (LPC) in 1981. Located off of Cumberland Park in West Lafayette, IN, WVWL held a long-standing reputation for producing quality services to middle-class retirees. Historically a partner with Purdue University, WVWL’s reputation and mission grew into today’s 346-bed LPC.

Given WVWL’s financial strength, the community sought to take advantage of the low interest rate environment in 2020 to refinance its outstanding Series 2014 tax-exempt and taxable Direct-placement Bonds (Series 2014 Bonds). The incumbent bank proposed a refinancing opportunity that struck WVWL’s management team as an above-market proposal. WVWL engaged Sims to analyze the proposal. Sims was chosen based on experience, market-depth and culture. Sims solicited banking partners based on engagement and initial analysis.

WVWL went into the market seeking to refinance the Series 2014 Bonds. Tied to the Series 2014 Bonds were two swaps that were largely out-of-the-money; WVWL also had a legacy forward-starting swap that was originated in 2010 and became effective in 2020 during COVID-19.

Sims constructed a plan of finance to generate adequate debt service savings despite the expenses associated with refunding the Series 2014 Bonds and terminating all of WVWL’s Swaps. The plan of finance conformed to the terms provided by any potential banking partners via the bank solicitation.

Sims found a banking partner with terms that would offer flexibility and savings for WVWL. The partner offered a proposal that provided material savings. The plan of finance Sims tailored for WVWL generated enough savings to for the community to reconsider a new-money. The $15 million project repurposed some of WVWL’s existing independent living units into assisted living and memory care units that were in high demand on campus.

Sims, in conjunction with the new banking partner, crafted the $60,515,000 plan of finance (Series 2021 Bonds). The financing included the refinancing escrow for the Series 2014 Bonds, the termination of all existing swaps (including the forward-starting swap), and a draw-down facility for the new-money project. The terms provided by the banking partner and the structure formulated by Sims allowed for WVWL to comfortably execute the Series 2021 Bonds without increasing residents’ monthly service fees. This was accomplished via aggressive pricing, a 12-year term, and a 30-year amortization provided by the new banking partner.

Sims closed the Series 2021 Bonds for WVWL via Direct Placement Bonds for the tax-exempt refinancing, a Term Loan for the taxable refinancing, and a draw-down facility for the new project money. After pricing the new swaps for the refinancing debt, Sims captured a taxable interest rate of 3.19% and a tax-exempt interest rate of 2.54% for WVWL. The credit spread for the refinancing portion was 100 bps lower than the incumbent bank’s original refinancing proposal. The new-money project funds were kept variable and will utilize a draw-down feature that allows WVWL to materialize capitalized interest savings. Sims generated a plan of finance that accomplished all of WVWL’s objectives, including $15 million in new-money, without increasing maximum annual debt service against the refunded Series 2014 Bonds, resulting in an efficient capital structure for the community that generated savings and a new product offering for campus residents to enjoy.

“As I was relatively new to my position, the thought of handling a refinancing seemed like a daunting task. Thankfully, after careful consideration our Board of Directors chose to partner with Sims. Sims understands the complex procedures involved with refinancing and made sure to provide extensive education during the entire process. Lynn and Brady took great care in ensuring each step was broken down into understandable components. I truly enjoyed working with Sims and look forward to continuing our partnership for years to come,” said Jessica Argerbright, Director of Accounting and Finance, WVWL.

Financed Right® Solutions—Lynn Daly: [email protected] or 312.505.5688 | Brady Richardson: [email protected] or 240.207.1362.

 ABOUT HJ SIMS: Founded in 1935, HJ Sims is a privately held investment bank and wealth management firm. Headquartered in Fairfield, CT, Sims has nationwide investment banking, private wealth management and trading locations. Member FINRA, SIPC. Testimonials may not be representative of another client’s experience. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.  Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter,  Instagram.

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An Exclusive Investment Opportunity: Benedictine Health System

Benedictine Health System Logo

**This financing has been successfully closed. Please contact you advisor for any potential secondary market opportunities.**

$79,065,000*
DULUTH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
(St. Louis County, Minnesota)

Revenue Bonds
BENEDICTINE HEALTH SYSTEM
SERIES 2021A

HJ Sims is pleased to serve as sole underwriter for tax-exempt Series 2021A revenue bonds on behalf of Benedictine Health System, a Minnesota nonprofit corporation, a Catholic healthcare system that provides long-term care services, congregate housing, assisted living, rehabilitation services and other health-care and social services. Benedictine is the 10th largest not-for-profit senior living provider in the country. Benedictine Health System is the parent corporation of the Obligated Group, among other entities.

The Benedictine Obligated Group consists of 21 senior living communities in Minnesota and North Dakota that in aggregate comprise of 1,242 nursing beds, 811 assisted living units, and 153 independent living units.

The vision of Benedictine is to enhance its communities (Benedictine Living Communities) where health, wellness and choice come to life. The core values of Benedictine are hospitality, stewardship, respect, and justice.

About the Bonds

  • Series 2021A
    • $79,065,000*
    • Non-rated, tax-exempt
    • Bonds are exempt from Federal Income Tax and exempt from State of Minnesota Income Tax
    • Denominations of $5,000
    • Interest will be payable on January 1 and July 1 of each year, commencing January 1, 2022
    • First principal payment: July 1, 2022

Project

  • Fund $10,000,000 of capital improvements at select communities
  • Refund the outstanding tax-exempt bank debt on the Minnesota communities
  • Fund Debt Service Reserve Fund

Security

  • Secured by gross revenues and mortgage.
  • Debt Service Reserve Fund.

 Key Financial Covenants

  • 1.20x Debt Service Coverage Ratio; tested annually.
  • 60 Days Cash on Hand; tested semi-annually.

We are currently accepting indications of interest for these tax-exempt bonds with an expected pricing the week of June 28, 2021, and anticipated settlement during the week of July 12, 2021. For more information including risks, please read the Preliminary Official Statement in its entirety. If you have interest in purchasing these bonds, please contact your HJ Sims financial professional as soon as possible.

LEARN MORE
877.577.3365

*Subject to change

No dealer, broker, salesperson, or other person has been authorized to give any information or to make any representation other than those contained in the Preliminary Official Statement and, if given or made, such other information or representation should not be relied upon as having been authorized by the Issuer, the Borrower, or the Underwriters. The information set forth herein has been obtained from the Issuer, Borrower, and other sources that are believed to be reliable, but is not guaranteed as to accuracy or completeness by, and is not construed as a representation of, the Underwriters. The information contained herein is subject to change without notice. Under no circumstances shall this constitute an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. Any offering or solicitation will be made only to investors pursuant to the Preliminary Official Statement, which should be read in its entirety. Investments involve risk including the possible loss of principal. HJ Sims is a member of FINRA and SIPC, and is not affiliated with Benedictine Health System, Benedictine Obligated Group or any of its related entities or any other organization referred to herein.