cash on hand, U.S. commercial paper and euro commercial paper issuances. The Company maintains a commercial paper program that allows 3M to have a maximum of $3 billion outstanding with a maximum maturity of 397 days from date of issuance. As of December 31, 2011 and 2010, 3M had no outstanding commercial paper. The Company believes it is unlikely that its access to the commercial paper market will be restricted.

 

In August 2011, 3M entered into a $1.5 billion, five-year multi-currency revolving credit agreement, which replaced the existing agreement that was due to expire in April 2012. This credit agreement includes a provision under which 3M may request an increase of up to $500 million, bringing the total facility up to $2 billion (at the lenders’ discretion). This facility was undrawn at December 31, 2011. Also, in August 2011, 3M entered into a $200 million, one-year committed line/letter of credit agreement with HSBC Bank USA. This agreement replaced the sublimit for letters of credit that was previously encompassed in the $1.5 billion five-year facility. As of December 31, 2011, available committed credit facilities, including the preceding $1.5 billion five-year credit facility and $200 million facility, totaled approximately $1.785 billion worldwide. The amount utilized against these credit facilities totaled $147 million as of December 31, 2011. This included $121 million in letters of credit issued under the $200 million facility, $18 million in international lines of credit and $8 million in U.S. lines of credit outstanding with other banking partners. An additional approximately $100 million in stand-alone letters of credit was also issued and outstanding at December 31, 2011. These lines/letters of credit are utilized in connection with normal business activities. Under both the $1.5 billion and $200 million credit agreements, the Company is required to maintain its EBITDA to Interest Ratio as of the end of each fiscal quarter at not less than 3.0 to 1. This is calculated (as defined in the agreement) as the ratio of consolidated total EBITDA for the four consecutive quarters then ended to total interest expense on all funded debt for the same period. At December 31, 2011, this ratio was approximately 40 to 1. Debt covenants do not restrict the payment of dividends.

 

The Company has a “well-known seasoned issuer” shelf registration statement, effective August 5, 2011, which registers an indeterminate amount of debt or equity securities for future sales. The Company intends to use the proceeds from future securities sales off this shelf for general corporate purposes. This replaced 3M’s previous shelf registration dated February 17, 2009. In September 2011, in connection with the August 5, 2011 “well-known seasoned issuer” registration statement, 3M established a $3 billion medium-term notes program (Series F), from which 3M issued a five-year $1 billion fixed rate note with a coupon rate of 1.375%. Proceeds were used for general corporate purposes, including repayment in November 2011 of $800 million (principal amount) of medium-term notes.

 

In connection with a prior “well-known seasoned issuer” shelf registration,