What is Unitranche Debt?
Unitranche debt combines senior and junior debt (whether mezzanine or second lien) into one instrument or “tranche”. The borrower signs one set of documents and pays interest to one lender, with the cost of the loan a blend between that of a traditional senior loan and a subordinated loan.
Not every company is a good candidate for unitranche. Given the higher risk associated with increased leverage, unitranche loans tend to be better suited to companies with strong credit attributes and high free cash flow.
The best candidates for unitranche operate in less cyclical industries with business models that exhibit significant levels of recurring revenue, which is typically reflected in a well-diversified customer base, a wide array of products and low ticket prices for individual products.