Loans are appealing to investors because they offer a cash coupon, an interest rate hedge, security,  seniority in the capital structure and covenants.  Oh wait, did we say covenants? Our bad!  Not only is covenant lite running rampant in the loan market, but covenanted deals are also providing investors with less protection today compared to the past.  Based on leveraged deals with at least one covenant tracked by LPC via SEC filings, the amount of covenants in covenanted deals is at an all time low.