Swaps Talks Extended

Massachusetts officials and UBS Securities LLC have once again agreed to extend negotiations over a $207.6 million swap agreement.

The new deadline is now Oct. 9, according to Jay Gonzalez, who is set to become secretary of the Executive Office of Administration and Finance next week. He currently serves as undersecretary.

The state is seeking to resolve a $207.6 million floating-to-fixed rate derivative attached to Massachusetts Turnpike Authority Series 1997A senior bonds. The prior deadline was Oct. 2 after the parties agreed to push the deadline from Sept. 11.

The $207.6 million swap is the final piece among five floating-to-fixed rate swaps that have forced MassPike to contemplate hefty termination payments to UBS.

Credit rating upgrades in mid-July on MassPike’s subordinate debt resolved a termination event on four of the swaps, cancelling a potential $190 million termination payment to UBS.

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