Private Credit Jargon Explained: Terms, Fees, Covenants, And Security

Private Credit Execution

Private Credit Jargon Explained: Terms, Fees, Covenants, And Security

Private credit deals fail less often because of price and more often because borrowers misunderstand structure.

This guide translates the most common private credit jargon into plain English so sponsors, acquirers, and CFOs can interpret term sheets and negotiate from a position of clarity.

Term Sheet Language

Facility Type

The legal form of the loan. Examples include term loan, revolving credit facility, unitranche, borrowing base facility, or delayed draw term loan.

Tenor

How long the loan runs before maturity. Shorter tenors generally price cheaper but require faster refinancing.

Amortization

Required principal repayments during the life of the loan. Many private credit facilities are interest-only with a balloon at maturity.

Use Of Proceeds

What the lender allows the borrower to spend the money on. Deviating without consent can trigger default.

Pricing And Fees

Term Meaning
OID (Original Issue Discount) Upfront discount to par that increases lender yield.
Closing Fee One-time fee paid at funding.
Commitment Fee Fee on undrawn commitments.
Spread Credit margin added to the reference rate.
Floor Minimum reference rate regardless of market levels.
PIK Interest Interest added to principal instead of paid in cash.

Security And Collateral

First Lien

Senior claim on collateral. Cheapest capital.

Second Lien

Junior claim behind first lien. Higher pricing.

Negative Pledge

Promise not to pledge assets to other lenders.

Share Pledge

Equity of borrower pledged as security.

Covenants

Leverage Ratio

Debt divided by EBITDA.

DSCR

Cash flow divided by debt service.

Liquidity Covenant

Minimum cash on hand.

Equity Cure

Right to inject equity to fix a covenant breach.

Controls And Accounts

Blocked Account

Cash controlled by lender.

Cash Dominion

Lender sweeps collections daily or weekly.

Where Financely Fits

Financely structures, underwrites, and distributes private credit and trade finance transactions to banks and private credit funds.

Learn more at What Is Trade Finance , Trade Finance Services , and submit transactions via Submit Your Deal.

If you have a defined transaction with documentation and counterparties, submit your deal for feasibility review.

This content is informational only. Financely is not a bank, not a broker-dealer, and not a direct lender. All transactions are subject to diligence, KYC, KYB, AML, sanctions screening, capital provider criteria, and definitive documentation.