Summary: JPMorgan Chase & Co. is arranging a $1.85 billion debt financing package to back Belden’s acquisition of Ruckus Network, according to people familiar with the matter. The financing will take the form of a leveraged loan that is expected to be launched to institutional investors imminently. JPMorgan had previously provided a fully committed debt commitment for the transaction and has since added other lending partners, including Wells Fargo & Co.
Belden agreed in April to acquire Ruckus Network from Vistance Networks for approximately $1.85 billion. At the time of that agreement, Belden secured a debt commitment from JPMorgan to support the purchase. The latest activity involves JPMorgan preparing to syndicate the debt to institutional investors, moving the financing from a committed underwriting to a broader market distribution.
The involvement of additional lenders is part of the syndication process for large leveraged loans. Sources said JPMorgan originally had fully committed financing in place and has now brought in other banks, with Wells Fargo & Co. identified among those participants. The leveraged loan is being positioned for institutional buyers and is expected to launch imminently, according to people with direct knowledge of the plans.
This development keeps the financing aligned with the announced purchase terms: Belden’s roughly $1.85 billion acquisition of Ruckus Network from Vistance Networks. The secured commitment from JPMorgan at the time of the April agreement remains a central element of how the transaction will be funded.
Implications and context - limited to reported details:
- Debt financing is being structured as a leveraged loan aimed at institutional investors.
- JPMorgan moved from providing a committed facility to syndicating the loan and inviting other lenders to participate.
- Wells Fargo & Co. is named among the additional lenders that have joined the financing effort.
Note on sources: The information on the financing plans and the lenders involved is described as coming from people familiar with the matter.