Long-Term Debt

Long-term debt at December 31, 2016 and 2015 consisted of the following:



(in thousands)	December 31, 2016			December 31, 2015
Current portion of long-term debt:
Current portion of 5-year term loan facility expires 2019	$	55,000		$	48,125
5.660% senior notes, Series C, semi-annual interest payments, balloon due 2016	—			25,000
Short-term promissory note	500			—
Total current portion of long-term debt	55,500			73,125
Long-term debt:
Note agreements:
4.500% senior notes, Series E, quarterly interest payments, balloon due 2018	100,000			100,000
4.200% senior notes, semi-annual interest payments, balloon due 2024	498,785			498,628
Total notes	598,785			598,628
Credit agreements:
5-year term loan facility, periodic interest and principal payments, LIBOR plus up to 1.750%, expires May 20, 2019	426,250			481,250
5-year revolving loan facility, periodic interest payments, currently LIBOR plus up to 1.500%, plus commitment fees up to 0.250%, expires May 20, 2019	—			—
Revolving credit loan, quarterly interest payments, LIBOR plus up to 1.400% and availability fee up to 0.250%, expires December 31, 2016	—			—
Total credit agreements	426,250			481,250
Debt issuance costs (contra)	(6,663		)	(8,260		)
Total long-term debt less unamortized discount and debt issuance costs	1,018,372			1,071,618
Current portion of long-term debt	55,500			73,125
Total debt	$	1,073,872		$	1,144,743

On December 22, 2006, the Company entered into a Master Shelf and Note Purchase Agreement (the “Master Agreement”) with a national insurance company (the “Purchaser”). The initial issuance of notes under the Master Agreement occurred on December 22, 2006, through the issuance of $25.0 million in Series C Senior Notes due December 22, 2016, with a fixed interest rate of 5.660% per year. On February 1, 2008, $25.0 million in Series D Senior Notes due January 15, 2015, with a fixed interest rate of 5.370% per year, were issued. On September 15, 2011, and pursuant to a Confirmation of Acceptance (the “Confirmation”), dated January 21, 2011, in connection with the Master Agreement, $100.0 million in Series E Senior Notes were issued and are due September 15, 2018, with a fixed interest rate of 4.500% per year. The Series E Senior Notes were issued for the sole purpose of retiring existing senior notes. On January 15, 2015, the Series D Notes were redeemed at maturity using cash proceeds to pay off the principal of $25.0 million plus any remaining accrued interest. On December 22, 2016, the Series C Notes were redeemed at maturity using cash proceeds to pay off the principal of $25.0 million plus any remaining accrued interest. As of December 31, 2016, there was an outstanding debt balance issued under the provisions of the Master Agreement of $100.0 million.

On July 1, 2013, in conjunction with the acquisition of Beecher Carlson Holdings, Inc., the Company entered into a revolving loan agreement (the “Wells Fargo Agreement”) with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. that provided for a $50.0 million revolving line of credit (the “Wells Fargo Revolver”). On April 16, 2014, in connection with the signing of the Credit Facility (as defined below) an amendment to the agreement was established to reduce the total revolving loan commitment from $50.0 million to $25.0 million. The Wells Fargo Revolver may be increased by up to $50.0 million (bringing the total amount available to $75.0 million). The calculation of interest and fees for the Wells Fargo Agreement is generally based upon the Company’s funded debt-to-EBITDA ratio. Interest is charged at a rate equal to 1.000% to 1.400% above LIBOR or 1.000% below the Base Rate, each as more fully described in the Wells Fargo Agreement. Fees include an up-front fee, an availability fee of 0.175% to 0.250%, and a letter of credit margin fee of 1.000% to 1.400%. The obligations under the Wells Fargo Revolver are unsecured and the Wells Fargo Agreement includes various covenants, limitations and events of default that are customary for similar facilities for similar borrowers. The maturity date for the Wells Fargo Revolver was December 31, 2016. However, on March 14, 2016, the Wells Fargo Revolver was terminated before its maturity date with no fees incurred. There were no borrowings against the Wells Fargo Revolver as of December 31, 2016 or as of December 31, 2015.

On April 17, 2014, the Company entered into a credit agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as administrative agent and certain other banks as co-syndication agents and co-documentation agents (the “Credit Agreement”). The Credit Agreement in the amount of $1,350.0 million provides for an unsecured revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) in the initial amount of $800.0 million and unsecured term loans in the initial amount of $550.0 million, either or both of which may, subject to lenders’ discretion, potentially be increased by up to $500.0 million. The Credit Facility was funded on May 20, 2014 in conjunction with the closing of the Wright acquisition, with the $550.0 million term loan being funded as well as a drawdown of $375.0 million on the revolving loan facility. Use of these proceeds was to retire existing term loan debt and to facilitate the closing of the Wright acquisition as well as other acquisitions. The Credit Facility terminates on May 20, 2019, but either or both of the revolving credit facility and the term loans may be extended for two additional one-year periods at the Company’s request and at the discretion of the respective lenders. Interest and facility fees in respect to the Credit Facility are based upon the better of the Company’s net debt leverage ratio or a non-credit enhanced senior unsecured long-term debt rating. Based upon the Company’s net debt leverage ratio, the rates of interest charged on the term loan are 1.000% to 1.750%, and the revolving loan is 0.850% to 1.500% above the adjusted LIBOR rate for outstanding amounts drawn. There are fees included in the facility which include a facility fee based upon the revolving credit commitments of the lenders (whether used or unused) at a rate of 0.150% to 0.250% and letter of credit fees based upon the amounts of outstanding secured or unsecured letters of credit. The Credit Facility includes various covenants, limitations and events of default customary for similar facilities for similarly rated borrowers. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, there was an outstanding debt balance issued under the provisions of the Credit Facility in total of $481.3 million and $529.4 million respectively, with no borrowings outstanding relative to the revolving loan. Per the terms of the agreement, scheduled principal payments of $55.0 million are due in 2017.

On September 18, 2014, the Company issued $500.0 million of 4.200% unsecured senior notes due in 2024. The senior notes were given investment grade ratings of BBB-/Baa3 with a stable outlook. The notes are subject to certain covenant restrictions and regulations which are customary for credit rated obligations. At the time of funding, the proceeds were offered at a discount of the original note amount which also excluded an underwriting fee discount. The net proceeds received from the issuance were used to repay the outstanding balance of $475.0 million on the revolving Credit Facility and for other general corporate purposes. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, there was an outstanding debt balance of $500.0 million exclusive of the associated discount balance.

The Master Agreement, Wells Fargo Agreement and the Credit Agreement all require the Company to maintain certain financial ratios and comply with certain other covenants. The Company was in compliance with all such covenants as of December 31, 2016 and 2015.

The 30-day Adjusted LIBOR Rate as of December 31, 2016 was 0.813%.

Interest paid in 2016, 2015 and 2014 was $37.7 million, $37.5 million, and $25.1 million, respectively.

At December 31, 2016, maturities of long-term debt were $55.5 million in 2017, $155.0 million in 2018, $371.3 million in 2019, and $500.0 million in 2024.