Rattling its sabre again, Oracle says it has signed a $1.5 billion credit agreement designed to back up its $7.5 billion hostile bid for PeopleSoft.

In a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Oracle says it entered into a 364-day revolving credit agreement with ABN Amro Bank N.V., Credit Suisse First Boston and a number of other syndicated lenders.

The agreement provides a $1.5 billion senior revolving credit facility that Oracle can tap to finance the purchase of PeopleSoft.

In the filing, Oracle said the credit facility adds to a cash base of $8.1 billion as of 30th November. The company also said it could raise more funds through borrowings from other lenders or the issuance of securities.