ABI Blog Exchange

Does law cap credit card interest rates?

The CARD Act doesn't set a cap on interest rates, but it can help you if your rates rise.

7 surprising ways to cut student debt

Minimize the financial strains of college by taking these steps before debt comes due.

Civil Rights Opinion May Affect Attorney's Fees in Bankruptcy

A decision reviewing attorney's fees in a complex Title VII class action may have repercussions for attorney's fees in bankruptcy cases as well. McClain v. Lufkin Industries, Inc., No. 10-40036 (5th Cir. 8/8/11). You can find the opinion here. What

Step Inside a Bank Branch in the Year 2030

The branch will be mainly a marketing and new account indoctrination center. Smartphones will eliminate most face-to-face transactions, as well as paper checks, currency and cards - not to mention the costs associated with those media.

S&P Has No Special Magic for Judging U.S. Creditworthiness

Unlike grading corporate credits, rating big countries is thoroughly ridiculous. We can all look at the same budget numbers and assess the political prospects as well as any rating agency.

Meet Judge Mott

Welcome to a new feature of A Texas Bankruptcy Lawyer's Blog. This will be the first in a series of profiles on the bankruptcy judges in Texas, beginning with H. Christopher Mott. On September 20, 2010, H. Christopher Mott became Texas's newest

Be Careful What You Draft for: Delaware Chancery Court Blesses Dynegy’s Reorganization

The Delaware Chancery Court’s recent decision in Roseton OL, LLC v. Dynegy Holdings, Inc. highlights the importance of good drafting in corporate documents, this time in the context of guaranties. The Chancery Court held that asset transfers between

Winning A Stay In Bankruptcy?

In a recent bankruptcy filing where a debtor’s homestead exemption was successfully challenged, the debtor filed a Motion For Stay Pending Appeal. What this means is that the debtor wanted to stop the creditors from repossessing his property while he

Texan Opposition To Payday Lenders’ Loan Shark Interest Rates Yields Progress

More Texans are standing up to the loan shark interest rates of the state’s payday lenders. According to a survey commissioned by the AARP, more than three-fourths of Texans oppose payday lenders charging up to 500% APR interest and almost two-thirds

Neglect Of Fiduciary Duty Can Render Some Debts Nondischargeable In Bankruptcy

In the recent Chapter 7 bankruptcy of a Texas debtor, the bankruptcy court ruled that debt owed to a partnership would be nondischargeable because the debtor willfully neglected their fiduciary duty. Early on in his tenure as president of B & W

The Daily Docket: FDIC Asks Judge to Toss $1.75B Bank Of America Lawsuit

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. is asking a federal judge to dismiss Bank of America Corp.’s $1.75 billion lawsuit seeking to recover losses suffered by investors in a subsidiary of Taylor Bean & Whitaker Mortgage Corp., the latest legal fallout

Technology: The Road Side Bomb for Commercial Real Estate Lenders?

This really is a powerful image - road side bomb for lenders? Yes. And as a son of a man who flew Air Force Special Ops during the Tet Offensive, I understand the image. (We thought he was lounging around, and safe and sound, on the base in Thailand

Four Alleged Creditors File Involuntary Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Petition Against Waste2Energy Holdings, Inc.

Amid trouble, Fed keeps rates low

With the economy weakening, the Fed said it would keep all options open to promote growth.

Is college worth the cost?

With tuition bills and loan defaults on the rise, more students are questioning conventional wisdom.

QE3: a 3rd dose of quantitative easing?

With the economy sagging, is another dose of economic stimulus coming from the Fed?

What can creditors take in a bankruptcy?

When filing Chapter 7, you must disclose all assets, but it doesn't mean you can't keep some.

US credit rating slide: Worthy of panic?

The downgrade of U.S. credit rocked Wall Street, but what does it mean for consumers?

7 secrets not on credit reports

Not every financial skeleton will be exposed on your credit report. Find out which items are excluded.

Alternative funds can calm investors

The "smart money" invests in alternative strategies like hedge funds. Should you?