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Commentary: Trump Can’t Kill Solyndra Loan Program That Outperforms Banks

Submitted by jhartgen@abi.org on

The federal energy program that’s best-known for a failed loan to solar manufacturer Solyndra LLC is generating billions for the government, and probably won’t be going anywhere under Donald Trump, according to a Bloomberg News commentary. The incoming president can’t unilaterally kill the U.S. Energy Department’s loan programs office. Only Congress can do that, according to the commentary, and it would require new legislation. Not only has the program’s loan portfolio generated about $1.65 billion in interest payments to date, its mission to support major energy projects fits into Trump’s goal of stimulating investment in the U.S., said Jonathan Silver, a former head of the loan programs office. The office dates to the George W. Bush administration and was designed to offer loan guarantees to innovative energy projects that struggle to get financing from commercial and investment banks. Still, the 2011 bankruptcy of Solyndra, which got a $535 million guarantee, remains its best-known miss.

Hampshire Group Commences Voluntary Chapter 11 Proceedings

Submitted by jhartgen@abi.org on

Hampshire Group, Ltd., announced that the company and two of its U.S. subsidiaries have filed voluntary chapter 11 petitions in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Wilmington, Delaware in order to facilitate the orderly wind-down of their business operations, the ABL Advisor reported yesterday. Hampshire Group was unable to attract a financing source to provide adequate liquidity to fund the company’s ongoing strategic turnaround initiatives. As a result, the company’s Board of Directors determined that an orderly liquidation and wind-down of its licensed businesses would be the best way to maximize value for the benefit of the company’s creditors and stakeholders. Litigation efforts pursued by one unsecured creditor since July of this year have compelled the Hampshire Group and certain of its affiliates to seek chapter 11 protection in order to continue to pursue, and ultimately complete, the wind-down process without disruption. Hampshire Group, along with its wholly-owned subsidiary, Hampshire Brands, Inc. is a provider of fashion apparel across a broad range of product categories, channels of distribution and price points. In conjunction with its bankruptcy filings, the Hampshire Group has received a commitment from its senior secured creditor, Salus Capital Partners LLC, to allow the company to utilize cash collateral in accordance with a mutually agreed upon budget.

Havila Shipping Fends Off Bankruptcy as Bondholders Accept Deal

Submitted by jhartgen@abi.org on
Havila Shipping ASA avoided a potential bankruptcy filing, after bondholders accepted a debt-restructuring deal hours before a company deadline, Bloomberg News reported yesterday. The Norwegian operator of oil-rig support vessels won support from holders of two-thirds of its bonds, according to a statement. The company said last week that it would probably seek court protection if there was no agreement by yesterday. Havila lenders had announced plans to call in borrowings after bondholders failed to support a debt reorganization. Norwegian oil-service providers are suffering because crude prices below $50 a barrel have damped drilling, while competition has surged due to a flood of vessels ordered before the market collapse.