Published: February 02, 2011
Fitch Rates Medical Center of Athens (GA) Inc. VRTBs, Series 2011 'AAA/F1+'
NEW YORK - (BUSINESS WIRE) - Fitch Ratings assigns a rating of 'AAA/F1+' to the $3,805,000, Medical
Center of Athens, Inc. (Georgia) variable-rate taxable bonds (VRTBs),
series 2011. The rating is based on the support provided by an
irrevocable confirming letter of credit (CLOC) provided by the Federal
Home Loan Bank of Atlanta (FHLB; rated 'AAA/F1+', with a Stable Outlook
by Fitch) which confirms an irrevocable direct pay letter of credit
(LOC) issued by AFB&T, a division of Synovus Bank (rated 'BB-/B').
The LOC bank is obligated to make payments of principal of and interest
on the bonds upon maturity, acceleration and redemption, as well as
purchase price for tendered bonds. The CLOC bank is obligated to make a
purchase price payment for all outstanding bonds in the event the LOC
bank fails to honor any draw or repudiates its obligations under the
LOC. The ratings will expire upon the earliest of: (a) Sept. 15, 2011,
the initial stated expiration date of the CLOC, such date to be
automatically extended for one-year periods, unless the CLOC provider
gives 60 days prior notice of its intention not to extend the CLOC, the
date shall not extend beyond Oct. 15, 2013; (b) conversion to the fixed
interest rate; (c) any prior termination of the CLOC; and (d) defeasance
of the bonds. The LOC provides full and sufficient coverage of principal
plus an amount equal to 40 days of interest at a maximum rate of 12%
based on a year of 360 days and purchase price for tendered bonds while
in the weekly rate mode. The CLOC provides the same full and sufficient
coverage as the LOC while the bonds bear interest in the weekly rate
mode. The Remarketing Agent for the bonds is Synovus Securities. The
bonds are expected to be delivered on or about Feb. 8, 2011.
The bonds will bear interest at a weekly rate, but may be converted to a
fixed interest rate. While bonds bear interest in the weekly rate mode,
interest payments will be paid on the first business day of each month
commencing March 1, 2011. The trustee is obligated to make timely draws
on the LOC to pay principal, interest, and purchase price. In the event
the LOC bank fails to honor a draw or repudiates its obligations under
the LOC the trustee will direct a mandatory tender and draw on the CLOC
for the full purchase price of all outstanding bonds. Funds drawn under
the LOC and CLOC are held uninvested and are free from any lien prior to
that of the bondholders.
Holders may tender their bonds on any business day, provided the trustee
is given the requisite prior notice of the purchase. The bonds are
subject to mandatory tender: (1) upon conversion of the interest rate;
(2) upon expiration, substitution or termination of the LOC; (3) on the
effective date of an Alternate LOC; (4) one business day prior to the
CLOC termination date; and (5) upon an Event of Default, at the LOC
Bank's option, in lieu of directing an acceleration. Optional and
mandatory redemption provisions also apply to the bonds. There are no
provisions for the issuance of additional bonds.
The proceeds of the sale of the bonds will be used to refund, in full,
the Medical Center of Athens, Inc variable-rate taxable bonds, series
2007.
Additional information is available at www.fitchratings.com.
Applicable Criteria and Related Research:
'U.S. Municipal Structured Finance Rating Criteria' Aug. 16, 2010;
Rating Guidelines for Letter of Credit-Supported Bonds'
Applicable Criteria and Related Research:
U.S. Municipal Structured Finance Rating Criteria
http://www.fitchratings.com/creditdesk/reports/report_frame.cfm?rpt_id=548588
Rating Guidelines for Letter of Credit-Supported Bonds
http://www.fitchratings.com/creditdesk/reports/report_frame.cfm?rpt_id=435132
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DISCLAIMERS. PLEASE READ THESE LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMERS BY FOLLOWING
THIS LINK: HTTP://FITCHRATINGS.COM/UNDERSTANDINGCREDITRATINGS.
IN ADDITION, RATING DEFINITIONS AND THE TERMS OF USE OF SUCH RATINGS ARE
AVAILABLE ON THE AGENCY'S PUBLIC WEBSITE WWW.FITCHRATINGS.COM.
PUBLISHED RATINGS, CRITERIA AND METHODOLOGIES ARE AVAILABLE FROM THIS
SITE AT ALL TIMES. FITCH'S CODE OF CONDUCT, CONFIDENTIALITY, CONFLICTS
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AND PROCEDURES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FROM THE 'CODE OF CONDUCT' SECTION OF
THIS SITE.

Fitch Ratings
Primary Analyst
Linda Friedman, +1-212-908-0727
Senior
Director
Fitch, Inc.
One State Street Plaza
New York, NY
10004
or
Secondary Analyst
Joseph Staffa, +1-212-908-0829
Senior
Director
or
Committee Chair
Senior Director
Mary
Jane Ziga, +1-212-908-0529
or
Media Relations, New York
Cindy
Stoller, +1-212-908-0526
cindy.stoller@fitchratings.com
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