Allen & Overy represented BNP Paribas as sole arranger and administrative agent in connection with the USD1.7 billion senior secured credit facilities for The GEO Group, Inc. (NYSE: GEO) and its subsidiaries, including a new seven-year USD800 million term loan “B” and a USD900 million revolver with a USD100 million multicurrency subfacility.

Proceeds of the new term loan were made available to GEO for purposes of refinancing its existing term loan facility, financing permitted acquisitions (including the previously announced USD360 million purchase of Community Education Centers) and payment of related fees, costs and expenses and for general corporate purposes.

The GEO Group, Inc. is a fully integrated equity real estate investment trust (REIT) specializing in the design, financing, development and operation of correctional, detention and community reentry facilities worldwide, with operations in the United States, Australia, South Africa and the United Kingdom.

The A&O Leveraged Finance team was led by partner Todd Koretzky and included associate James Cheng, both based in our New York office, with Australia advice provided by partner David Christensen and associate Li Lin in our Sydney office.