NOTE 9. NOTES PAYABLE AND LONG-TERM DEBT

Salem Communications Corporation has no independent assets or operations, the subsidiary guarantees are full and unconditional and joint and several, and any subsidiaries of the Salem Communications Corporation other than the subsidiary guarantors are minor.

Term Loan B and Revolving Credit Facility

On March 14, 2013, we entered into a senior secured credit facility, consisting of the Term Loan B of $300.0 million and a revolving credit facility of $25.0 million (“Revolver”). The Term Loan B was issued at a discount for total net proceeds of $298.5 million. The discount is being amortized to non-cash interest expense over the life of the loan using the effective interest method. For each of the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, approximately $47,000 and $141,000 respectively, and $48,000 and $110,000, respectively, of the discount has been recognized as interest expense.

The Term Loan B has a term of seven years, maturing in March 2020. During this term, the principal amount may be increased by up to an additional $60.0 million, subject to the terms and conditions of the credit agreement. We are required to make principal payments of $750,000 per quarter which began on September 30, 2013 for the Term Loan B. Prepayments may be made against the outstanding balance of our Term Loan B. Each repayment of the outstanding Term Loan B is applied ratably to each of the next four principal installments thereof in the direct order of maturity and thereafter to the remaining principal balance in reverse order of maturity.

On September 29, 2014, we repaid $5.0 million in principal on the Term Loan B and paid interest due as of that date. We recorded an $18,000 pre-tax loss on the early retirement of long-term debt related to the unamortized discount on the principal repaid. On March 31, 2014, we repaid $2.3 million in principal on the Term Loan B and paid interest due as of that date. We recorded an $8,000 pre-tax loss on the early retirement of long-term debt related to the unamortized discount on the principal repaid. As of September 30, 2014, accrued interest on the Term Loan B was $36,000 and there are no quarterly principal payments due in the next twelve months.

Information regarding repayments of our Term Loan B is as follows:

 

Date		Principal Paid				Unamortized Discount
		(Dollars in Thousands)
September 29, 2014		$	5,000			$	18
March 31, 2014			2,250				8
December 30, 2013			750				3
September 30, 2013			4,000				16
June 28, 2013			4,000				14

The Revolver has a term of five years, maturing in March 2018. We report outstanding balances on our Revolver as short-term based on use of the Revolver to fund ordinary and customary operating cash needs with repayments made frequently. We believe that the borrowing capacity under our Term Loan B and Revolver allows us to meet our ongoing operating requirements, fund capital expenditures and satisfy our debt service requirements for at least the next twelve months.

Borrowings under the Term Loan B may be made at LIBOR (subject to a floor of 1.00%) plus a spread of 3.50% or Wells Fargo’s base rate plus a spread of 2.50%. Borrowings under the Revolver may be made at LIBOR or Wells Fargo’s base rate plus a spread determined by reference to our leverage ratio, as set forth in the pricing grid below. If an event of default occurs under the credit agreement, the applicable interest rate may increase by 2.00% per annum. At September 30, 2014, the blended interest rate on amounts outstanding under the Term Loan B and Revolver was 5.04%.

 

				Revolver Pricing
Pricing Level		Consolidated Leverage Ratio		Base Rate Loans				LIBOR Loans
1		Less than 3.00 to 1.00			1.250	%			2.250	%
2		Greater than or equal to 3.00 to 1.00 but less than 4.00 to 1.00			1.500	%			2.500	%
3		Greater than or equal to 4.00 to 1.00 but less than 5.00 to 1.00			1.750	%			2.750	%
4		Greater than or equal to 5.00 to 1.00 but less than 6.00 to 1.00			2.000	%			3.000	%
5		Greater than or equal to 6.00 to 1.00			2.500	%			3.500	%

The obligations under the credit agreement and the related loan documents are secured by liens on substantially all of the assets of Salem and its subsidiaries, other than certain exceptions set forth in the Security Agreement, dated as of March 14, 2013, among Salem, the subsidiary guarantors party thereto, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent (the “Security Agreement”) and such other related loan documents.

With respect to financial covenants, the credit agreement includes a minimum interest coverage ratio, which started at 1.50 to 1.0 and steps up to 2.50 to 1.0 by 2016 and a maximum leverage ratio, which started at 6.75 to 1.0 and steps down to 5.75 to 1.0 by 2017. The credit agreement also includes other negative covenants that are customary for credit facilities of this type, including covenants that, subject to exceptions described in the credit agreement, restrict the ability of Salem and its subsidiary guarantors: (i) to incur additional indebtedness; (ii) to make investments; (iii) to make distributions, loans or transfers of assets; (iv) to enter into, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any liens; (v) to sell assets; (vi) to enter into transactions with affiliates; or (vii) to merge or consolidate with, or dispose of all or substantially all assets to, a third party. As of September 30, 2014, our leverage ratio was 5.42 to 1 compared to our compliance covenant of 6.50 and our interest coverage ratio was 3.44 compared to our compliance ratio of 2.0. We were in compliance with our debt covenants under the credit facility at September 30, 2014.

Terminated Senior Secured Second Lien Notes

On December 1, 2009, we issued $300.0 million principal amount of our 9 ⁵⁄₈% Notes Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2016 (“Terminated 9 ⁵⁄₈% Notes”) at a discount for $298.1 million resulting in an effective yield of 9.75%. Interest was due and payable on June 15 and December 15 of each year, commencing June 15, 2010 until maturity. We were not required to make principal payments on the Terminated 9 ⁵⁄₈% Notes, which were due in full in December 2016. The Terminated 9 ⁵⁄₈% Notes were guaranteed by all of our existing domestic restricted subsidiaries. Upon issuance, we were required to pay $28.9 million per year in interest on the then outstanding Terminated 9 ⁵⁄₈% Notes. As of December 31, 2012, accrued interest on the Terminated 9 ⁵⁄₈% Notes was $0.9 million. The discount was being amortized to interest expense over the term of the Terminated 9 ⁵⁄₈% Notes based on the effective interest method. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, approximately $0 and $37,000 of the discount, respectively, was recognized as interest expense.

On March 14, 2013, we tendered for $212.6 million in aggregate principal amount of the Terminated 9 ⁵⁄₈% Notes for an aggregate purchase price of $240.3 million, or at a price equal to 110.65% of the face value of the Terminated 9 ⁵⁄₈% Notes in the Tender Offer. We paid $22.7 million for this repurchase resulting in a $26.9 million pre-tax loss on the early retirement of long-term debt, which included approximately $0.8 million of unamortized discount and $2.9 million of bond issue costs associated with the Terminated 9 ⁵⁄₈% Notes. We issued a notice of redemption to redeem any of the Terminated 9 ⁵⁄₈% Notes that remained outstanding after the expiration date of the Tender Offer. On June 3, 2013, we redeemed the remaining $0.9 million of the outstanding Terminated 9 ⁵⁄₈% Notes to satisfy and discharge Salem’s obligations under the indenture for the Terminated 9 ⁵⁄₈% Notes. The carrying value of the Terminated 9 ⁵⁄₈% Notes was $212.6 million at December 31, 2012. There are no outstanding Terminated 9 ⁵⁄₈% Notes as of the effectiveness of the redemption.

Information regarding repurchases and redemptions of the Terminated 9 ⁵⁄₈% Notes is as follows:

 

Date		Principal Redeemed/Repurchased				Premium Paid				Unamortized Discount				Bond Issue Costs
		(Dollars in thousands)
June 3, 2013		$	903			$	27			$	3			$	—
March 14, 2013			212,597				22,650				837				2,867
December 12, 2012			4,000				120				17				57
June 1, 2012			17,500				525				80				287
December 12, 2011			12,500				375				62				337
September 6, 2011			5,000				144				26				135
June 1, 2011			17,500				525				93				472
December 1, 2010			12,500				375				70				334
June 1, 2010			17,500				525				105				417

 

Terminated Senior Credit Facility

On December 1, 2009, we entered into a Revolver (“Terminated Revolver”). We amended the Terminated Revolver on November 1, 2010 to increase the borrowing capacity from $30 million to $40 million. The amendment allowed us to use borrowings under the Revolver, subject to the “Available Amount” as defined by the terms of the credit agreement, to redeem applicable portions of the Terminated 9 ⁵⁄₈% Notes. The calculation of the “Available Amount” also pertained to the payment of dividends when the leverage ratio was above 5.0 to 1.

On November 15, 2011, we completed the Second Amendment of the Terminated Revolver to, among other things, (1) extend the maturity date from December 1, 2012 to December 1, 2014, (2) change the interest rate applicable to LIBOR or the Wells Fargo base rate plus a spread to be determined based on our leverage ratio, (3) allow us to borrow and repay unsecured indebtedness provided certain conditions are met and (4) include step-downs related to our leverage ratio covenant. We incurred $0.5 million in fees to complete this amendment, which were being amortized over the remaining term of the agreement. The applicable interest rate relating to the amended credit agreement was LIBOR plus a spread of 3.00% per annum or the Base Rate plus a spread of 1.25% per annum, which was adjustable based on our leverage ratio. If an event of default occurred, the interest rate could be increased by 2.00% per annum. Details of the change in our rate based on our leverage ratio were as follows:

 

Consolidated Leverage Ratio		Base Rate				Eurodollar Rate Loans				Applicable Fee Rate
Less than 3.25 to 1.00			0.75	%			2.25	%			0.40	%
Greater than or equal to 3.25 to 1.00 but less than 4.50 to 1.00			0.75	%			2.50	%			0.50	%
Greater than or equal to 4.50 to 1.00 but less than 6.00 to 1.00			1.25	%			3.00	%			0.60	%
Greater than or equal to 6.00 to 1.00			2.25	%			3.50	%			0.75	%

The Terminated Revolver included a $5 million subfacility for standby letters of credit and a subfacility for swingline loans of up to $5 million, subject to the terms and conditions of the credit agreement relating to the Terminated Revolver. In addition to interest charges outlined above, we paid a commitment fee on the unused balance based on the Applicable Fee Rate in the above table.

The Terminated Revolver was terminated on March 14, 2013 upon entry into our current senior secured credit facility. This termination resulted in a $0.9 million pre-tax loss on the early retirement of long-term debt related to unamortized credit facility fees. There was no outstanding balance on the Terminated Revolver as of the termination date.

Terminated Subordinated Credit Facility with First California Bank

On May 21, 2012, we entered into a Business Loan Agreement, Promissory Note and related loan documents with First California Bank (the “FCB Loan”). The FCB Loan was an unsecured, $10.0 million fixed-term loan with a maturity date of June 15, 2014. The interest rate for the FCB Loan (“Interest Rate”) was variable and was equal to the greater of: (a) 4.250% or (b) the Wall Street Journal Prime Rate as published in The Wall Street Journal and reported by FCB plus 1%.

We were required to repay the FCB Loan as follows: (a) twenty-three (23) consecutive monthly interest payments based upon the then-current principal balance outstanding at the then-current Interest Rate commencing on September 15, 2012; (b) seven (7) quarterly consecutive principal payments of $1.25 million each commencing on September 15, 2012; and (c) one (1) final principal and interest payment on June 15, 2014 of all outstanding and unpaid interest and principal as of such maturity date. The FCB Loan could be prepaid at any time subject to a minimum interest charge of fifty dollars ($50). If an event of default occurred on the FCB Loan, the Interest Rate could have been increased by 5.00% per annum.

The FCB loan was terminated on March 14, 2013 upon entry into our current senior secured credit facility. This termination resulted in a $33,000 pre-tax loss on the early retirement of long-term debt for unamortized credit facility fees. There was no outstanding balance on the FCB Loan as of the termination date.

Terminated Subordinated Debt due to Related Parties

On November 17, 2011, we entered into subordinated lines of credit “Terminated Subordinated Debt due Related Parties” with Edward G. Atsinger III, Chief Executive Officer and director of Salem, and Stuart W. Epperson, Chairman of Salem’s Board of Directors. Pursuant to the related agreements, Mr. Epperson committed to provide an unsecured revolving line of credit to Salem in a principal amount of up to $3 million, and Mr. Atsinger committed to provide an unsecured revolving line of credit in a principal amount of up to $6 million. On May 21, 2012, we also entered into a subordinated line of credit with Roland S. Hinz, a Salem board member. Mr. Hinz committed to provide an unsecured revolving line of credit in a principal amount of up to $6 million. On September 12, 2012, we amended and restated the original subordinated line of credit with Mr. Hinz to increase the unsecured revolving line of credit by $6 million for a total line of credit of up to $12 million.

The proceeds of the Terminated Subordinated Debt due to Related Parties could be used to repurchase a portion of the Terminated 9 ⁵⁄₈% Notes. Outstanding amounts under each subordinated line of credit bore interest at a rate equal to the lesser of (1) 5% per annum and (2) the maximum rate permitted for subordinated debt under the Terminated Revolver referred to above plus 2% per annum. Interest was payable at the time of any repayment of principal. In addition, outstanding amounts under each subordinated line of credit were required to be repaid within three (3) months from the time that such amounts were borrowed, with the exception of the subordinated line of credit with Mr. Hinz, which was to be repaid within six (6) months from the time that such amounts were borrowed. The Terminated Subordinated Debt due to Related Parties did not contain any covenants. On March 14, 2013, we repaid these lines of credit upon entry into our current senior secured credit facility. On April 3, 2013, we provided written notice to Messrs. Atsinger, Epperson and Hinz electing to terminate the Terminated Subordinated Debt due to Related Parties and related agreements effective as of May 3, 2013. There were no outstanding balances on the Terminated Subordinated Debt due to Related Parties as of the termination date.

Summary of long-term debt obligations

Long-term debt consisted of the following:

 

		As of December 31, 2013				As of September 30, 2014
		(Dollars in thousands)
Term Loan B		$	289,939			$	282,856
Revolver			—				2,759
Capital leases and other loans			854				762
			290,793				286,377
Less current portion			(3,121	)			(2,871	)
		$	287,672			$	283,506

In addition to the outstanding amounts listed above, we also have interest payments related to our long-term debt as follows as of September 30, 2014:

 

•

Outstanding borrowings of $284.0 million under the Term Loan B with interest payments due at LIBOR (subject to a floor of 1.00%) plus 3.50% or prime rate plus 2.50%; and

 

•

Outstanding borrowings of $2.8 million under the Revolver, with interest payments due at LIBOR plus 3.00% or at prime rate plus 2.00%.

Other Debt

We have several capital leases related to office equipment. The obligation recorded at December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2014 represents the present value of future commitments under the capital lease agreements.

Maturities of Long-Term Debt

Principal repayment requirements under all long-term debt agreements outstanding at September 30, 2014 for each of the next five years and thereafter are as follows:

 

		Amount
For the Twelve Months Ended September 30,		(Dollars in thousands)
2015		$	2,871
2016			3,095
2017			3,098
2018			3,095
2019			3,091
Thereafter			271,127
		$	286,377