#United States #Baton Rouge #Ziegler #St. James Place

Ziegler Completes Successful Financing for St. James Place

On August 18, 2026, Ziegler, a prominent boutique investment bank, proudly announced the successful close of its Series 2026 Bonds. This financing, amounting to an impressive $51,765,000, serves the St. James Place, a distinguished continuing care retirement community (CCRC) located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

About St. James Place

Established in March 1980, St. James Place is a non-profit corporation and has set the standard for senior living in the region. The community is situated on a sprawling 49-acre campus, just a mile away from Louisiana State University. Since its inception, it has evolved into a cornerstone of senior living, being the first CCRC in Louisiana when it opened its doors in 1983. It remains the only facility of its kind in Baton Rouge.

The community offers a variety of living options for seniors, including:

• - 210 independent living units
• - 48 assisted living residences
• - 15 memory care units
• - 62 skilled nursing beds
• - 26 memory support nursing beds

St. James Place prides itself on its exceptional amenities, which include a fishing lake, fitness center, enclosed heated swimming pool, salon, café, two dining venues, auditoriums for community events, a meditation chapel, library, and various gathering spaces for residents.

Financial Overview

The funds raised through the Series 2026 Bonds will be strategically utilized to refund existing Series 2015A Bonds, allowing St. James Place to achieve significant annual debt service savings. Additionally, these proceeds will help reimburse prior capital expenditures, establish a debt service reserve fund, and cover the costs associated with issuing the bonds.

With the support of Ziegler, St. James Place secured a stable BB+ rating from Fitch Ratings for the Series 2026 Bonds. These fixed-rate, tax-exempt bonds are designed to provide steady annual debt service, achieving a final maturity aligned with the refunded bonds set for 2045.

Dick Wager, the President and CEO of St. James Place, commended Ziegler's efforts, stating, "Rich Scanlon helped us put together a great team and shepherded us expertly through the entire process. Ziegler earned their keep when representing us in the market, getting us the best rate possible."

Rich Scanlon, the Senior Managing Director for Senior Living Finance at Ziegler, went on to highlight the robust partnership between Ziegler and St. James Place. He expressed satisfaction in finding an appealing capital market environment that facilitated the refunding of the 2015A Bonds, ultimately generating $337,000 in annual debt service savings until 2045. Scanlon emphasized Ziegler's commitment to being a strategic partner for St. James Place as it continues to serve seniors in Baton Rouge.

Ziegler's Commitment to Senior Living

Ziegler stands as a leader in the underwriter segment for financing not-for-profit senior living providers. The firm offers innovative and tailored financial solutions, including investment banking services, financial risk management, mergers and acquisitions, seed capital, and strategic planning. Their commitment extends beyond just financing, as Ziegler is also involved in senior living research and advocacy.

For more information about Ziegler and their specialized services, visit www.ziegler.com. Through its expertise and strategic partnerships, Ziegler continues to play a pivotal role in enhancing the quality of living for seniors across the United States.