On December 1, 2017 we entered into a credit and guaranty agreement for a new $255.0 million senior secured credit facility, consisting of a $225.0 million secured term loan facility (the “Term Loan Facility”) and a $30.0 million secured revolving credit facility (“the Revolving Credit Facility” and, together with the Term Loan Facility, the “Credit Agreement”). We and each of our existing domestic subsidiaries (subject to certain exceptions and exclusions) guarantee the obligations under the Credit Agreement (the “Guarantors”). The Credit Agreement is secured by a security interest in substantially all existing and after-acquired real and personal property (subject to certain exceptions and exclusions) of us and the Guarantors.

On December 1, 2017 we borrowed the entire $225.0 million Term Loan Facility. The proceeds of the Term Loan Facility were used along with cash on hand and shares of CryoLife common stock to (i) fund the acquisition of JOTEC and its subsidiaries (the “JOTEC Acquisition”), (ii) pay certain fees and expenses related to the JOTEC Acquisition and the Credit Agreement, and (iii) pay the outstanding balance of our prior credit facility. The Revolving Credit Facility is undrawn following the JOTEC Acquisition and may be used for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions permitted under the Credit Agreement, and other general corporate purposes pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement.

The loan under the Term Loan Facility is repayable on a quarterly basis according to the amortization provisions set forth in the Credit Agreement. We have the right to repay the loan under the Credit Agreement in whole or in part at any time. Amounts repaid in respect of the loan under the Term Loan Facility may not be reborrowed. Amounts repaid in respect of the loan under the Revolving Credit Facility may be reborrowed. All outstanding principal and interest in respect of (i) the Term Loan Facility must be repaid on or before December 1, 2024 and (ii) the Revolving Credit Facility must be repaid on or before December 1, 2022.

In October 2018 we finalized an amendment to the Credit Agreement to reprice interest rates, resulting in a reduction in the interest rate margins over base rates on the Term Loan Facility. The loan under the Term Loan Facility bears interest, at our option, at a floating annual rate equal to either the base rate, plus a margin of 2.25%, or LIBOR, plus a margin of 3.25%. Prior to the repricing, the optional floating annual rate was equal to either the base rate plus a margin of 3.00%, or LIBOR, plus a margin of 4.00%. The loan under the Revolving Credit Facility bears interest, at our option, at a floating annual rate equal to either the base rate, plus a margin of between 3.00% and 3.25%, depending on our consolidated leverage ratio, or LIBOR, plus a margin of between 4.00% and 4.25%, depending on our consolidated leverage ratio. While a payment or bankruptcy event of default exists, we are obligated to pay a per annum default rate of interest of 2.00% in excess of the interest rate otherwise payable with respect to the overdue principal amount of any loans outstanding and overdue interest payments and other overdue fees and amounts. As of June 30, 2019 the aggregate interest rate was 5.58% per annum. We are obligated to pay an unused commitment fee equal to 0.50% of the unutilized portion of the revolving loans. In addition, we are also obligated to pay other customary fees for a credit facility of this size and type.

The Credit Agreement contains certain customary affirmative and negative covenants, including covenants that limit our ability and the ability of our subsidiaries to, among other things, grant liens, incur debt, dispose of assets, make loans and investments, make acquisitions, make certain restricted payments, merge or consolidate, change their business or accounting or reporting practices, in each case subject to customary exceptions for a credit facility of this size and type. In addition, with respect to the Revolving Credit Facility, when the principal amount of loans outstanding thereunder is in excess of 25% of the Revolving Credit Facility, the Credit Agreement requires us to comply with a specified maximum first lien net leverage ratio. The Credit Agreement prohibits the payment of certain restricted payments, including cash dividends.

The Credit Agreement includes certain customary events of default that include, among other things, non-payment of principal, interest, or fees; inaccuracy of representations and warranties; breach of covenants; cross-default to certain material indebtedness; bankruptcy and insolvency; and change of control. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an event of default, the lenders may declare all outstanding principal and accrued but unpaid interest under the Credit Agreement immediately due and payable and may exercise the other rights and remedies provided under the Credit Agreement and related loan documents. As of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 there were no outstanding balances on our Revolving Credit Facility and the remaining availability was $30.0 million.

Government Supported Bank Debt

In June 2015 JOTEC obtained two loans from Sparkasse Zollernalb, which are government sponsored by the Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau Bank (“KFW”). Both KFW loans have a term of nine years and the interest rates are 2.45% and 1.40%.

The short-term and long-term balances of our term loan and other borrowings were as follows (in thousands):


	June 30,		December 31,
	2019		2018
Term loan balance	$	221,625	$	222,750
2.45% Sparkasse Zollernalb (KFW Loan 1)		1,169		1,318
1.40% Sparkasse Zollernalb (KFW Loan 2)		1,637		1,885
Total loan balance		224,431		225,953
Less unamortized loan origination costs		(8,254)		(9,072)
Net borrowings		216,177		216,881
Less short-term loan balance		(1,164)		(1,160)
Long-term loan balance	$	215,013	$	215,721

Interest expense was $3.8 million and $7.7 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, respectively, as compared to $4.1 million and $7.8 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively. Interest expense includes interest on debt and uncertain tax positions in both periods.