Cov-lite

published 28 May 2018

'Cov-lite' is used to describe a loan where the lender, typically a bank, does not impose standard performance conditions on a borrower. The loan documentation is therefore literally 'covenant light'. The standard covenants, or clauses, typically waived would normally set operating targets to ensure that the borrower, often a private equity firm, generates sufficient cash flow to meet interest and capital repayments. A breach would give the bank the right to demand repayment or take control of the company.