OREANDA-NEWS. Fitch Ratings has assigned a rating of 'AA/F1+' to the $24,225,000 Indiana Municipal Power Agency (the Agency) variable rate demand (VRD) power supply system refunding revenue bonds, 2016 series B. The Rating Outlook is Stable for the long-term (LT) rating.

KEY RATING DRIVERS:
The rating is based on the support provided by an irrevocable direct-pay letter of credit (LOC) issued by U.S. Bank National Association (rated 'AA/F1+', the LT rating with a Stable Outlook), which has an initial stated expiration date of Dec. 1, 2020, unless such date is extended or earlier terminated, while the bonds are in the daily or weekly interest rate mode only.

The bank is obligated to make regularly scheduled payments of principal of and interest on the bonds in addition to payments due upon maturity, acceleration and redemption, as well as purchase price for tendered bonds. The LOC provides full and sufficient coverage of principal plus an amount equal to 56 days of interest at a maximum rate of 12% based on a year of 365 days and purchase price for tendered bonds, while in the daily and weekly rate modes. U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc. and U.S. Bank Municipal Securities Group are jointly the Remarketing Agents for the bonds. The bonds are expected to be delivered on or about Jan. 13, 2016.

The bonds initially bear interest at a daily rate, but may be converted to a weekly, flexible, term, or direct placement rate. While bonds bear interest in the daily and weekly rate modes, interest payments are on the first business day of each month, commencing Feb. 1, 2016. The trustee is obligated to make timely draws on the LOC to pay principal, interest, and purchase price. Funds drawn under the LOC are held uninvested and are free from any lien prior to that of the bondholders.

Holders may tender their bonds on any business day, provided the tender agent and remarketing agent are given the requisite prior notice of the purchase. The bonds are subject to mandatory tender: (1) upon conversion of the interest rate (other than conversion between the daily and weekly rate modes); (2) upon expiration, substitution or termination of the LOC; (3) following receipt of written notice from the bank of an event of default under the reimbursement agreement, and (4) following receipt of notice from the bank that the interest component will not be reinstated directing such mandatory tender. Optional and mandatory redemption provisions also apply to the bonds. There are no provisions for the issuance of additional 2016 series B bonds.

Bond proceeds will be used to refund the Agency's outstanding power supply system revenue bonds, 2006 series A and to pay costs of issuance.

RATING SENSITIVITIES
The rating is exclusively tied to the short- and long-term rating that Fitch maintains on the bank providing the LOC and will reflect all changes to that rating.