UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): October 28, 2022
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NorthWestern Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| Delaware | 1-10499 | 46-0172280 | ||||||||||||
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (Commission File Number) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | ||||||||||||
| 3010 W. 69th Street | Sioux Falls | South Dakota | 57108 | |||||||||||
| (Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) | |||||||||||||
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 605-978-2900
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered | ||||||
| Common stock | NWE | Nasdaq Stock Market LLC | ||||||
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
☐Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging Growth Company ☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.
☐
Item 1.01. Entry Into a Material Definitive Agreement.
Item 2.03. Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant.
On October 28, 2022, NorthWestern Corporation d/b/a NorthWestern Energy (Nasdaq: NWE) (the “Company”) entered into a $100 million Credit Agreement (the “Additional Credit Facility”) to supplement its existing $425 million revolving credit facility, which was recently amended and restated on May 18, 2022 (the "Primary Credit Facility").
The Additional Credit Facility provides an additional $100 million of capacity in excess of the $425 million provided by the Primary Credit Facility. The Additional Credit Facility has a maturity date of April 28, 2024.
Under the Additional Credit Facility, Mizuho Bank Ltd., BMO Capital Markets Corp., and Keybank National Association act as joint lead arrangers; BMO Capital Markets Corp., and Keybank National Association act as co-syndication agents; and Mizuho Bank Ltd., acts as administrative agent.
The Additional Credit Facility does not amortize and is unsecured. Borrowings may be made at interest rates equal to (a) SOFR, plus a credit spread adjustment of 10 basis points, plus a margin of 100 to 175 basis points, or (b) a base rate, plus a margin of 0 to 75 basis points. Interest rates and commitment fees are based on the Company’s then-current senior unsecured credit ratings. Advances under the Additional Credit Facility are subject to certain conditions precedent, including the accuracy of certain representations and warranties and the absence of any default or event of default. Advances, if any, will be used for general corporate purposes.
The Additional Credit Facility has one financial covenant, requiring that consolidated debt to total capitalization ratio be less than or equal to 65 percent. The Additional Credit Facility also contains covenants that restrict the Company in respect of, among other things, mergers and consolidations, sales of all or substantially all assets, incurrence of liens and transactions with affiliates. The Additional Credit Facility is subject to acceleration upon the occurrence of an event of default, including cross-default to indebtedness in excess of $50 million in the aggregate, change of control (as defined in the Additional Credit Facility), entry of judgments of $50 million or more (to the extent not covered by insurance), and the occurrence of certain Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and bankruptcy events.
As of October 28, 2022, the Company has no loans outstanding under the Additional Credit Facility.
The descriptions of the provisions of the Additional Credit Facility are summary in nature and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full and complete terms of the Additional Credit Facility.
Some of the lenders under the Additional Credit Facility and certain of their affiliates have engaged, and in the future may engage, in investment banking transactions, including securities offerings, and in general financing and commercial banking transactions with, and the provision of services to, us and our affiliates in the ordinary course of business and otherwise for which they have received, and will in the future receive, customary fees.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
| Exhibit No. | Description of Document | |||||||
| Credit Agreement, dated October 28, 2022 | ||||||||
| * filed herewith | ||||||||
Signatures
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| NorthWestern Corporation | |||||||||||
| By: | /s/ Timothy P. Olson | ||||||||||
| Timothy P. Olson | |||||||||||
| Corporate Secretary | |||||||||||
Date: November 3, 2022