APPROVAL OF $20M LOAN WILL HELP PENGUINS SURVIVE SEASON

          The Penguins "won an off-ice victory yesterday by
     scoring a $20 million loan, which the team said it needs to
     make it through the end of the season," according to Ann
     Belser of the PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE.  French Bank Societe
     Generale will lend the Penguins the money.  Despite the
     objection of the team's existing senior lenders, the loan
     puts the bank "in first place to be paid any money owed it
     once the team is reorganized and out of bankruptcy." 
     Instead of distributing the money in the form of one
     payment, Societe Generale will offer it to the Penguins "as
     it is needed."  The team will then be responsible for paying
     interest on the money it does borrow at 1% over the
     international prime rate, as well as an annual rate of .75%
     on the money it doesn't use (POST-GAZETTE, 12/15).