BancBoston Securities Inc. wrapped up its domestic high-yield debut last week, pricing a $105 million issue it led for Unicco Service Co., a Boston-based custodial service provider.
The 10-year senior subordinated notes were priced at a discount to yield 9.95%, 385 basis points over the 10-year Treasury. The notes were rated B- minus by Standard & Poor's.
Proceeds from the rule 144(a) offering will go to refinance Unicco's existing debt. BankBoston Corp. is also leading a $45 million credit facility for the company.
Since the regional bank started building its high-yield shop last year, it has co-managed six domestic junk-bond deals and led 12 emerging markets high-yield deals, according to Securities Data Co.
Unicco is an integrated facility services company that provides mechanical maintenance, landscaping, and security services to commercial and industrial facilities.
George Ketches, Unicco's chief financial officer, said the company was comfortable with tapping BankBoston for its bond offering since the bank had agented its credit facilities in the past.
"We felt there were some synergies in terms of using them on the investment banking side too," Mr. Ketches said.
Investors said they were impressed with BankBoston's high-yield premier.
One investor quipped that the Unicco bonds "went up in the aftermarket,and that's about all you can ask for in an underwriter." u
