Cubesmart current report, 19 July 2005

Business Context and Reporting Period

This Form 8-K is filed by U-Store-It Trust (doing business as CubeSmart) on July 19, 2005. The report details the entry into a material definitive agreement and the creation of a direct financial obligation by an indirect subsidiary, YSI VI LLC.

Key Financial Metrics and Debt

  • New Debt: Entered into a fixed-rate mortgage loan of $80 million with Lehman Brothers Bank, FSB.
  • Interest Rate: 5.13% fixed.
  • Maturity Date: August 2012.
  • Collateral: Secured by 24 self-storage facilities.
  • Existing Debt: Three other subsidiaries hold separate fixed-rate mortgage loans totaling approximately $270 million.
  • Credit Facility: The company maintains a $150 million secured revolving credit facility involving Lehman Brothers entities.
  • Guarantees: U-Store-It, L.P. (the Operating Partnership) acts as a guarantor for certain exceptions to the non-recourse provisions of the new loan.

Material Changes and Purpose of Financing

The $80 million loan was executed to fund a portion of the purchase price for self-storage facilities being acquired from partnerships and entities affiliated with National Self Storage and The Schomac Group, Inc. This acquisition is pursuant to a Purchase and Sale Agreement dated March 1, 2005. The filing does not provide specific revenue, profit, or cash flow figures for the period.

Management Commentary, Risks, and Contingencies

  • Covenants: The loan agreement requires the establishment of reserves for replacements, repairs, real estate taxes, and insurance related to the mortgaged facilities.
  • Default Provisions: The loan becomes immediately due and payable with an increased interest rate if required payments are missed or other events of default occur.
  • Documentation: The full terms of the Loan Agreement are qualified by the complete text, which will be filed as an exhibit to the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2005.

Investor Verification Checklist

  • Verify the specific list of 24 facilities pledged as collateral for the new $80 million loan.
  • Review the upcoming Form 10-Q (due after September 30, 2005) for the full text of the Loan Agreement and detailed covenants.
  • Confirm the total outstanding debt load including the new $80 million, the existing $270 million in mortgages, and the utilization of the $150 million revolving credit facility.
  • Assess the impact of the 5.13% interest rate on future earnings compared to the company's historical cost of capital.