An old cover of Reader's Digest

WASHINGTON (AFP) — Reader's Digest, publisher of the monthly magazine which claims the largest circulation in the world, announced plans on Monday 17 August to file for bankruptcy protection in agreement with its major lenders.

Reader's Digest Association said the restructuring agreement calls for a "substantial portion" of its 1.6 billion dollars in debt to be swapped for equity and ownership of the company to be transferred to the lender group.

As part of the agreement, Reader's Digest said it would file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, which protects a company from its creditors while it restructures.

It said the Chapter 11 filing only applies to its US businesses and not its operations in other countries.

"The company has strong brands and products, a leadership position in many markets around the world and a solid plan for the future," said Reader's Digest president and chief executive Mary Berner.

"Restructuring our debt will enable us to have the financial flexibility to move ahead with our growth and transformational initiatives," she said.

The Pleasantville, New York-based Reader's Digest was purchased by Ripplewood Holdings in March 2007. It publishes 94 magazines, including 50 editions of Reader's Digest.