OREANDA-NEWS. Fitch Ratings has assigned a 'BB+' rating to the following bonds expected to be issued on behalf of Plymouth Place:

--\\$57,085,000 Illinois Finance Authority revenue bonds series 2015

Additionally, Fitch has assigned a 'BB+' rating to the following bonds issued on behalf of Plymouth Place:

--\\$24,765,000 Illinois Finance Authority revenue bonds series 2013

The series 2015 bonds are expected to be issued as tax-exempt fixed-rate bonds. Bond proceeds will be used to (1) refund the outstanding series 2005A bonds; (2) reimburse prior capital expenditures; (3) fund certain capital projects; and (5) pay costs of issuance. The series 2015 bonds are expected to price via negotiation the week of October 5.

The Rating Outlook is Stable.

SECURITY

The bonds are secured by an interest in the gross revenues of the obligated group, a security interest in certain mortgaged properties and a debt service reserve fund.

KEY RATING DRIVERS

STRONG OCCUPANCY: Following the opening of a replacement facility in 2007 and a slow fill up during the great recession, stabilization was achieved in 2013. Independent living unit (ILU) and assistant living unit (ALU) occupancy have been strong and equaled 96% and 97%, respectively, at June 30, 2015 while skilled nursing (SNF) occupancy has been more volatile and equaled 77% at June 30, 2015.

SOLID PROFITABILITY: Since stabilization, operating profitability has been solid with net operating margin (NOM) and net operating margin adjusted (NOMA) equal to 16.5% and 26.1% in fiscal 2014 and 15.9% and 24.5%, respectively, in the six month interim period ending June 30, 2015 (the interim period).

HIGH DEBT BURDEN: Plymouth Place needs to sustain its solid profitability to support its high debt burden with pro forma MADS equal to 20% of fiscal 2014 total revenue. Fitch normalized MADS to smooth out six bullet maturities that occur between 2038 and 2043.

WEAK BUT IMPROVING LIQUIDITY: Despite significant improvement in absolute liquidity, pro forma liquidity metrics remain weak with 347 days cash on hand, 30% cash to pro forma debt and 4.3x cushion ratio.

RATING SENSITIVITIES

SUSTAINED CASH FLOW: Fitch expects Plymouth Place's NOMA to remain at levels sufficiently strong to provide for MADS coverage consistent with the rating category.

FUTURE CAPITAL PROJECTS: Future capital plans include the redevelopment of Plymouth Place's ILU cottages. While Fitch does not expect the redevelopment project to materially impact liquidity or leverage metrics, any material impact could would likely result in negative rating pressure.

CREDIT PROFILE

Plymouth Place operates a Type A continuing care retirement community (CCRC) with 182 ILU apartments, 52 ALUs, 26 memory support units and 86 SNFs. All units are located in an eight story building. Additionally, the community has 55 ILU cottages; however, the cottages are not actively marketed with the vast majority out of service. The community is located on an 18.6 acre campus in La Grange Park, Illinois, approximately 15 miles southwest of downtown Chicago. Plymouth Place was incorporated in 1939 and began operations in 1944. Due to aging of the original building, Plymouth Place constructed a replacement facility that opened in 2007.

Plymouth Place is the sole member of the obligated group and accounts for 100% of consolidated total assets and 100% of consolidated operating revenues.

STRONG OCCUPANCY

Despite a slow fill up and stabilization following construction of the new facility, occupancy rates are currently strong. The opening of the replacement facility coincided with the great recession which negatively impacted fill up. ILU occupancy increased from 76% in 2011 to 97% in 2013 and equaled 96% at June 30, 2015. ILU cottages are not included in ILU occupancy rates because they are no longer actively marketed and maintained. ALU occupancy has been consistently strong, averaging 96% since 2011 and equaled 97% at June 30, 2015 while SNF occupancy has been more volatile, equaling 77% at June 30, 2015.

SOLID PROFITABILITY

Following the slow fill up after the opening of the new facility in 2007, stabilization was achieved in 2013 and profitability has improved in each following year. Operating ratio decreased from 117.1% in fiscal 2012 to 100.7% in the interim period as operations were adjusted following the fill up. Net operating margin (NOM) and net operating margin adjusted (NOMA) increased from 4.4% and 17.8%, respectively, in 2012 to 16.5% and 26.1% in fiscal 2014. Interim period profitability remained strong with NOM and NOMA equal to 15.9% and 24.5%, respectively, exceeding Fitch's 'BBB' category medians of 9.2% and 20.4%, respectively.

HIGH DEBT BURDEN

Plymouth Place needs to maintain its solid profitability to support its heavy debt burden with pro forma MADS equal to 20% of fiscal 2014 total revenue, exceeding Fitch's 'BBB' category median of 12.3%. Fitch normalized pro forma MADS to smooth out six series 2013 bullet maturities that occur between 2038 and 2043, during which MADS would have equaled \\$7.2 million. Fitch's normalized MADS assumption equals \\$5.6 million. Actual aggregate debt service is level at approximately \\$5.2 million through 2043. Plymouth Place's rate covenant is based upon actual annual debt service.

MADS coverage of 1.7x in fiscal year 2014 is solid for the 'BB+' rating category while interim period MADS coverage of 1.3x was somewhat light. Revenue only MADS coverage of 1.2x in fiscal 2014 and 0.8x in the interim period are reflective of Plymouth Place's solid operations and are consistent with Fitch's 'BBB' category median of 0.9x.

WEAK BUT IMPROVING LIQUIDITY

Unrestricted cash and investments increased 76.2% since fiscal 2011 to \\$24.6 million at June 30, 2015. The significant increase reflects the stabilization of the community as initial entrance fees were received and ILU occupancy increased in addition to solid cash flows. Despite the increase, liquidity metrics remain weak with 347 days cash on hand, 30% cash to pro forma debt and 4.3x cushion ratio comparing unfavorably to Fitch's 'BBB' category medians of 408 days, 60.2% and 6.9x.

FUTURE CAPITAL PROJECTS

Series 2015 bond proceeds include \\$2 million to be used for general capital expenditures. Fitch does not expect the cottage redevelopment project to materially impact liquidity or leverage metrics. Any related material impact to either unrestricted liquidity or leverage metrics would likely result in negative rating pressure given Plymouth Place's weak liquidity metrics and limited debt capacity at the current rating level. The timing of the cottage redevelopment project is currently uncertain.

DEBT PROFILE

Subsequent to the series 2015 bond issuance, Plymouth Place will have approximately \\$81.9 million of total debt outstanding. The pro forma debt profile will be 100% underlying fixed-rate bonds. Fitch views the conservative debt profile as appropriate for the rating level. Plymouth Place is not counterparty to any interest rate swap agreements.

DISCLOSURE

Plymouth Place covenants to provide annual disclosure within 150 days of fiscal year end and quarterly disclosure within 45 days of each fiscal quarter end. Disclosure is provided through the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board's EMMA system.