Consumer Debt

REGULATORS AND 13 BANKS COMPLETE $9.3 BILLION DEAL FOR FORECLOSURE RELIEF



Federal banking regulators have reached a $9.3 billion pact with 13 major lenders to settle claims of foreclosure abuses like bungled loan modifications and flawed paperwork, the New York Times DealBook blog reported today. The settlement is made up of $3.6 billion in cash relief and $5.7 billion in relief to avert foreclosures. Under the deal, homeowners can receive up to $125,000 in cash relief. Despite the banner numbers in the settlement, consumer groups and a range of lawmakers have criticized it for not providing enough relief for aggrieved homeowners. The agreement formalizes the tentative deals that were reached in January between the mortgage servicing companies and the regulators from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the Federal Reserve. Read more.

FORECLOSURE SALES IN 2012 HIT LOWEST MARK IN FIVE YEARS



While 2012 had the fewest foreclosure-related sales of homes since 2007, RealtyTrac released figures today showing that levels remained far higher than before the bursting of the housing-market bubble, MarketWatch.com reported today. Almost 950,000 U.S. properties in some state of foreclosure or owned by a bank were sold in 2012, down 6 percent from the prior year, according to RealtyTrac, an online foreclosure marketplace. Despite the decline, these sales remain far above the pre-bubble-burst levels: There were about 46,000 foreclosure-related sales in 2005, according to RealtyTrac. Foreclosure-related sales made up about 21 percent of all U.S. residential sales last year, down from 23 percent in the prior year, but much greater than the roughly 1 percent of foreclosure sales in 2005. Meanwhile, properties sold as short sales rose 4 percent from the prior year. These short sales made up about 22 percent of all residential sales last year. Read more.

CFPB DECELERATES REVIEW OF CHECKING OVERDRAFT RULES



The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), which last year began exploring whether to tighten rules on checking overdraft fees, has decided against quick action after hearing from smaller U.S. banks that rely on the revenue, Bloomberg News reported today. The bureau announced Feb. 22, 2012, that it was collecting data on overdraft practices and would complete the inquiry by the end of 2012. Nine large banks, including Bank of America Corp., U.S. Bancorp and Regions Financial Corp., are providing information. This month, CFPB director Richard Cordray said that no decisions have been made about possible new rules, adding that "over the next couple of years" the agency will continue to work on the matter. Camden Fine, president of the Independent Community Bankers of America, said revenue from overdraft fees represents 3 percent to 15 percent of total income for institutions in his association. In 2011, bank customers paid $31.6 billion in overdraft fees, down from $33.1 billion in 2010, according to Moebs Services, a research firm. About 15 million Americans overdraw their accounts 10 or more times a year, Moebs reported. Read more.

COMMENTARY: "TOO BIG TO FAIL" RULES HURTING "TOO SMALL TO COMPETE" BANKS



Almost five years have passed since governments in Europe, the U.K. and the U.S. used about $600 billion in capital to shore up banks during the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression, and regulators are still trying to ensure that it never happens again, according to a Bloomberg News commentary today. "With all the debating going on, the financial market structure didn't change very much," Zhu Min, the International Monetary Fund's deputy managing director, said in January. Some say the industry's biggest banks should be forced to break up, including Sanford Weill and John Reed, who created New York-based Citigroup Inc. They have said that financial conglomerates could be more valuable and safer if split apart. So have former Merrill Lynch & Co. Chief Executive Officer David Komansky and former Morgan Stanley CEO Philip Purcell. Investors such as Joshua Siegel, founder and managing principal at New York-based StoneCastle Partners LLC, see bigger changes at the other end of the spectrum. Small banks will seek mergers because their management teams are aging and new regulations are too costly to bear, he says. JPMorgan's Jamie Dimon, a critic of regulations he views as unnecessary or excessive, has recently touted the benefits. He told Citigroup analysts this month that new rules will help banks such as JPMorgan, the largest in the U.S., win market share from smaller competitors, the analysts wrote in a report. Read more.

ANALYSIS: FOR SEC, A SETBACK IN BID FOR MORE TIME IN FRAUD CASES



The Supreme Court yesterday delivered a swift and decisive rejection of the Securities and Exchange Commission's argument that it should operate under a more forgiving statute of limitations in pursuing penalties in fraud cases, the New York Times DealBook blog reported yesterday. As a result of the decision, the agency will have to find a long-term solution to give itself more time to investigate cases. In Gabelli v. Securities and Exchange Commission, Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. wrote in the unanimous decision rejecting the SEC's argument that a federal statute that limits the government's authority to pursue civil penalties should commence when a fraud is discovered, not when it occurs. The SEC was hoping that the court would apply what is known as the "discovery rule." In 2010, the Supreme Court endorsed this rule in a private securities fraud class-action suit, Merck & Co. v. Reynolds, stating that "something different was needed in the case of fraud, where a defendant's deceptive conduct may prevent a plaintiff from even knowing that he or she has been defrauded." In the Gabelli case, the SEC filed fraud charges in 2008 against mutual fund manager Marc Gabelli and a colleague, Bruce Alpert, saying that they had violated the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 for permitting an investor to engage in market timing. In its complaint, the SEC sought civil monetary penalties based on market timing that it claimed had taken place from 1999 to 2002, which resulted in the preferred investor purportedly reaping significant profits while ordinary investors suffered large losses. Read more.

LATEST BLOOMBERG "BILL ON BANKRUPTCY" VIDEO: SECRET MADOFF AGREEMENT MAY HARM VICTIMS



Money stolen from victims of the Bernie Madoff Ponzi scheme is earmarked for someone who may have been an accomplice in the fraud, and the agreement is being kept secret by a federal district judge. That's the first item on the new video with Bloomberg Law's Lee Pacchia and Bloomberg News bankruptcy columnist Bill Rochelle. Click here to view.

DON’T MISS THE ABI LIVE WEBINAR ON APRIL 5 - "LEGACY LIABILITIES: DEALING WITH ENVIRONMENTAL, PENSION, UNION AND SIMILAR TYPES OF CLAIMS"



A panel of experts has been assembled for a webinar on April 5 from 1-2:15 p.m. ET to discuss environmental and pension liabilities, the statutory schemes under which these liabilities arise and the key players involved. Are non-monetary environmental claims dischargeable? Do post-petition expenditures for environmental cleanup constitute administrative expenses? When can an employer terminate a pension plan in bankruptcy, what is the process and what are the consequences? Learn the answer to these questions and more from the comfort of your own office. Special ABI member rate is available! Register here as this webinar is sure to sell out.

ABI'S ANNUAL SPRING MEETING: CONSUMER PROGRAMMING WITH CROSS-OVER APPEAL



With four session tracks looking at issues geared toward chapter 11 restructurings, financial advisors, professional development and consumer bankruptcy, a number of sessions at ABI's Annual Spring Meeting have cross-over appeal for both consumer and business practitioners. Sessions include:



• The Appellate Process: This distinguished panel will explore recent issues in appellate practice that are of interest to both consumer and business practitioners, including the ability to bypass intermediary appellate courts and take appeals directly to the circuit courts.

• Consumer Class Actions: This panel will explore the potential benefits and pitfalls of class actions by debtors/trustees against creditors in chapter 13 cases, which are highlighted by two recent decisions of the Fifth Circuit. Many of the issues discussed during this panel will be useful in business cases as well.

• The Individual Conundrum - Chapter 7, 11 or 13?: Deciding on the appropriate chapter for a high net worth individual contemplating a bankruptcy filing can be a daunting task. This panel will explore the considerations that guide the practitioner in advising individual clients in making this decision.

To register for the Annual Spring Meeting and to see the full schedule of program tracks and events, please click here.

ABI IN-DEPTH

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR APRIL 10 TO TAKE PART IN ABI’S LIVE WEBINAR "STUDENT LOANS: BANKRUPTCY MAY NOT HAVE THE ANSWERS – BUT DOES CONGRESS?"



Do not miss the "Student Loans: Bankruptcy May Not Have the Answers - But Does Congress?" webinar presented by ABI's Consumer Bankruptcy Committee on April 10 from noon-1:15 ET. ABI's panel of experts will provide an overview of the student loan industry, examine the numbers behind and causes of student loan debt, and discuss federal loan programs as well as federal consolidation and forgiveness programs. Faculty on the webinar includes:

• Prof. Daniel A. Austin of Northeastern University School of Law (Boston)
  
  
  
• Edward "Ted" M. King of Frost Brown Todd LLC (Louisville, Ky.)
  
  
  
• Craig Zimmerman of the Law Offices of Craig Zimmerman (Santa Ana, Calif.)

CLE credit will be available for the webinar. This webinar is sure to sell out; register now for the special ABI member rate of $75!

NEW BANKRUPTCY PROFESSIONALS: DON'T MISS THE NUTS AND BOLTS PROGRAM AT ABI'S ANNUAL SPRING MEETING! SPECIAL PRICING IF YOU ARE AN ASM REGISTRANT!



An outstanding faculty of judges and practitioners explains the fundamentals of bankruptcy in a one-day Nuts and Bolts program on April 18 being held in conjunction with ABI's Annual Spring Meeting. Ideal training for junior professionals or those new to this practice area!

The morning session covers concepts all bankruptcy practitioners need to know, and the afternoon session splits into concurrent tracks, focusing on consumer and business issues. The session will include written materials, practice tip sessions with bankruptcy judges, continental breakfast and a reception after the program. Click here to register!

LATEST CASE SUMMARY ON VOLO: CLINTON AVENUE CLO FUND LTD. V. BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. (11TH CIR.)



Summarized by Weston Eguchi of Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP

Affirming the district court's rulings, the Eleventh Circuit concluded that (A) the plaintiff term lenders lacked standing to enforce the defendant revolving lenders' promise to lend to borrowers under a credit agreement; and (B) summary judgment on the issue of whether the revolving lenders were required to fund under the credit agreement was inappropriate where the relevant contractual language was ambiguous such that consideration of extrinsic evidence of the parties' intent would be necessary.

There are more than 750 appellate opinions summarized on Volo, and summaries typically appear within 24 hours of the ruling. Click here regularly to view the latest case summaries on ABI’s Volo website.

NEW ON ABI’S BANKRUPTCY BLOG EXCHANGE: ASSIGNMENT OF RENTS: SIXTH CIRCUIT THROWS OUT DEBT-BUYER SETTLEMENT

The Bankruptcy Blog Exchange is a free ABI service that tracks 35 bankruptcy-related blogs. A new blog post reported that the Sixth Circuit recently threw out a nationwide settlement involving Midland, a robo-signing debt buyer, and more than a million consumers. This will allow other class and individual actions to proceed against Midland. The suit was thrown out for faulty notice to class members, who were not told in the settlement notice that they’d lose their individual fraud claims against Midland.

Be sure to check the site several times each day; any time a contributing blog posts a new story, a link to the story will appear on the top. If you have a blog that deals with bankruptcy, or know of a good blog that should be part of the Bankruptcy Exchange, please contact the ABI Web team.

ABI Quick Poll

As a result of the RadLAX decision, the right to credit-bid will likely chill bidding at auctions, as potential purchasers may be dissuaded from participating in the bidding process.

Click here to vote on this week's Quick Poll. Click here to view the results of previous Quick Polls.

INSOL INTERNATIONAL



INSOL International is a worldwide federation of national associations for accountants and lawyers who specialize in turnaround and insolvency. There are currently 37 member associations worldwide with more than 9,000 professionals participating as members of INSOL International. As a member association of INSOL, ABI's members receive a discounted subscription rate. See ABI's enrollment page for details.

Have a Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn Account?

Join our networks to expand yours.

2013

March

- 37th Annual Alexander L. Paskay Seminar on Bankruptcy Law and Practice

     March 7-9, 2013 | St. Petersburg, Fla.

- Bankruptcy Battleground West

     March 22, 2013 | Los Angeles, Calif.

April

- ABI Live Webinar: "Legacy Liabilities : Dealing with Environmental, Pension, Union and Similar Types of Claims"

     April 5, 2013

- ABI Live Webinar: "Student Loans: Bankruptcy May Not Have the Answers - But Does Congress?"

     April 10, 2013

- "Nuts and Bolts" Program at ASM

     April 18, 2013 | National Harbor, Md.

- Annual Spring Meeting

     April 18-21, 2013 | National Harbor, Md.

May

- "Nuts and Bolts" Program at NYCBC

     May 15, 2013 | New York, N.Y.

- ABI Endowment Cocktail Reception

     May 15, 2013 | New York, N.Y.

- New York City Bankruptcy Conference

     May 16, 2013 | New York, N.Y.

- Litigation Skills Symposium

     May 21-24, 2013 | Dallas, Texas

June

- Memphis Consumer Bankruptcy Conference

     June 7, 2013 | Memphis, Tenn.

- Central States Bankruptcy Workshop

     June 13-16, 2013 | Grand Traverse, Mich.

PENSION PROPOSAL AIMS TO EASE FUTURE BURDEN ON STATES AND CITIES



Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), the senior Republican on the Senate Finance Committee, is set to introduce legislation that would allow states and cities to exit the pension business while still giving public workers the type of benefits they want, the New York Times DealBook blog reported today. It involves a tax-law change that would enable governments to turn their pension plans over to life insurers. Big players like MetLife and Prudential, to cite just two, might thus step into shoes now occupied by the likes of CalPERS, California’s giant state pension system. Any such change would be voluntary, said Hatch, who along with Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) is committed to working on a tax overhaul package this year, and the public-pension change could be one part of that. Working with insurers would not suddenly make trillions of dollars appear, but Hatch said that it would make costs more predictable and protect both retirees and taxpayers. The proposal “does not include an explicit or implicit government guarantee,” he said. Read more.

ANALYSIS: FINANCIAL CRISIS JUST A SYMPTOM OF DETROIT'S WOES



As officials in Detroit negotiate urgently with creditors and unions in a last-ditch effort to spare Detroit from plunging into the largest municipal bankruptcy in the nation’s history, residents say that the city has worse problems than its estimated $18 billion debt, the New York Times reported today. The Detroit police’s average response time to calls for the highest-priority crimes this year was 58 minutes, officials now overseeing the city say. The department’s recent rate of solving cases was 8.7 percent, far lower, the officials acknowledge, than rates in cities like Pittsburgh, Milwaukee and St. Louis. Kevyn D. Orr, the state-appointed emergency financial manager for Detroit, has said that the chances of filing for bankruptcy, a possibility that could be decided as early as this month, stand at 50-50. The prospect of a bankruptcy filing — a move that is extremely rare for cities and one that has never happened to an American city as populous as Detroit, with about 700,000 people — worries some residents. They say they fear that bankruptcy would add more stigma to a city that has contracted alarmingly in the decades since it was the nation’s fourth largest, starting in the 1920s, and that it might worsen already bare-bones services. Read more.

CFTC WEIGHS DELAY OF SWAPS RULES



Commodity Futures Trading Commission Chair Gary Gensler is proposing to partially delay controversial cross-border derivatives rules slated to go into effect Friday, the Wall Street Journal reported today. The move is an about-face for Gensler, who previously refused to delay a requirement that U.S. banks operating abroad comply with U.S. swaps rules, despite mounting pleas from fellow commissioners, lawmakers and overseas policy makers. Gensler now is floating a compromise that would implement some provisions almost immediately and delay others until the end of the year. The agency may vote as soon as Friday on the rules, which require that firms trading derivatives hold more capital and post collateral to a clearinghouse that secures the deal. Gensler's proposal comes after a tense meeting last week with Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew and Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Mary Jo White. Lew pressed Gensler and White to better coordinate adoption and implementation of U.S. swaps rules. Lew has received complaints from policy makers and others about a lack of coordination between U.S. and foreign governments. Read more. (Subscription required.)

DODD-FRANK EXECUTIVE PAY RULE STILL IN LIMBO AMID PUSHBACK FROM CORPORATE AMERICA



Soon after Congress in 2010 approved the largest overhaul of financial regulation in generations, the Securities and Exchange Commission moved to enforce a provision requiring companies to disclose how much more their chief executives made than other employees, the Washington Post reported on Sunday. The agency just had to write a rule telling firms how to comply, but nearly three years later, the rule remains unfinished, with no sign of when it will be done. Within six months of the law’s passage in 2010, SEC staffers had circulated an early blueprint for the pay rule. They set a deadline for completing it by the end of 2011. The public was outraged over runaway executive compensation, and the pay disclosure seemed relatively straightforward, at least compared with many of the law’s other requirements. What the agency did not count on was the resistance mounted by big business. A lobbying campaign waged by business executives and the nation’s most prominent corporate associations undercut the momentum and effectively brought the agency’s work on the rule to a standstill. The efforts of business groups to influence the SEC’s work was especially effective because of their success in pressing a court challenge to another part of the financial overhaul legislation — in essence, an extension of their lobbying efforts. The threat of additional lawsuits has hung over the discussion between lobbyists and agency officials about the pay rule, and some opponents have warned that the agency could be sued again if it enforces it. Read more.

DELAWARE-ONLY BYLAWS ON SHAREHOLDER SUITS TO CHANGE LEGAL LANDSCAPE



A recent ruling in Delaware is poised to change the landscape in big-ticket corporate litigation—to the delight of many companies and the likely chagrin of some shareholders, the Wall Street Journal reported yesterday. Chancellor Leo Strine of the Delaware Court of Chancery late last month ruled that corporate boards may adopt bylaws requiring that most shareholder lawsuits against the companies be filed in Delaware. The ruling effectively gives the thousands of businesses incorporated in Delaware home-field advantage in shareholder suits. The Delaware Chancery Court, one of the country's most influential business courts, doesn't use juries and is regarded as relatively business friendly compared with other courts. Forcing shareholders to sue in Delaware—and only Delaware—is a way to forestall a wave of lawsuits getting filed in several courts every time a merger or other major corporate action is announced. Roughly 300 corporations have adopted Delaware-only provisions in recent years to stem a rising tide of multicourt shareholder litigation. Mergers and acquisitions, in particular, have provided fodder for suits outside of Delaware, with shareholder plaintiffs demanding jury trials in a variety of states to challenge deals. Read more. (Subscription required.)

MAKE SURE TO PRE-ORDER ABI'S NEWEST PUBLICATION UNDERSTANDING ORDINARY: A PRIMER ON FINANCIAL AND ECONOMIC CONSIDERATIONS FOR ORDINARY COURSE DEFENSES TO PREFERENCE ACTIONS



Understanding Ordinary: A Primer on Financial and Economic Considerations for the Ordinary Course Defenses to Bankruptcy Preference Actions provides practitioners and others exposed to bankruptcy preference matters with an overview of bankruptcy preference basics, as well as a detailed discussion of the ordinary course of business defense – both between parties and within industries. Nearly every chapter includes a legal note written by an expert in the field, and the book is replete with charts that help illustrate many of the book's concepts. The 168-page softbound publication will ship in late July. To pre-order, please click here (be sure to log-in to receive ABI member pricing).

NEW ABI LIVE WEBINAR ON JULY 15 TO FOCUS ON THE § 1111(b) ELECTION, PLAN FEASIBILITY AND CRAMDOWN ISSUES



Utilizing a case study, ABI's panel of experts will explore issues surrounding a lender’s decision on whether or not to make an election under § 1111(b), plan feasibility and voting. The abiLIVE panel will also walk attendees through the necessary mathematical analyses used to analyze these issues. The webinar will take place on July 15 from 1-2:15 p.m. ET. Special ABI member rate available! Click here to register.

ABI GOLF TOUR UNDERWAY; NEXT STOP IS THE NORTHEAST BANKRUPTCY CONFERENCE ON FRIDAY



The next stop for the ABI Golf Tour is the famed Newport National course in Newport, R.I., in conjunction with the Northeast Bankruptcy Conference on July 12. Final scoring to win the Great American Cup—sponsored by Great American Group—is based on your top three scores at seven scheduled ABI events, so play as many as you can before the tour wraps up at the Winter Leadership Conference in December. See the Tour page for details and course descriptions. The ABI Golf Tour combines networking with fun competition, as golfers "play their own ball." Including your handicap means everyone has an equal chance to compete for the glory of being crowned ABI's top golfer of 2013! There's no charge to register or participate in the Tour.

ABI IN-DEPTH

NORTON JUDICIAL EXCELLENCE AWARD NOMINATIONS OPEN



Nominations are now open for the 8th Annual Judge William L. Norton Judicial Excellence Award, to be presented during the ABI luncheon at the annual meeting of the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges on Nov. 1, 2013. The award is presented by ABI and Thomson Reuters each year to the current or retired bankruptcy judge whose career embodies the same continued dedication and outstanding contributions to the insolvency community as the award’s namesake, Judge Norton. Nominations are considered by a committee made up of representatives from the Norton treatise and past ABI presidents. Nomination forms are available from Clay Mattson at Thomson Reuters (clay.mattson@thomsonreuters.com).

NEW ABI "BANKRUPTCY IN DEPTH" ON-DEMAND CLE PROGRAM LOOKS AT PRINCIPLES OF PROPERTY OF THE ESTATE: DEMYSTIFYING EQUITABLE INTERESTS



In this 90-minute seminar, Profs. Andrew Kull of Boston University School of Law and Scott Pryor of Regent University School of Law provide an in-depth analysis of a legal principle that has become, in their words, "a long-lost area of the law": § 541 of the Bankruptcy Code. Seeking to demystify what is meant by "property of the estate" and, in particular, the distinction between legal or equitable interests of the debtor in property, Kull and Pryor describe the legal entanglements that ensue when legal title belongs to one person but the equitable title belongs to someone else. The cost of the seminar, which includes written materials and qualifies for 1.5 hours of CLE, is $95. To order or to learn more, click here.

ASSOCIATES: ABI'S NUTS & BOLTS ONLINE PROGRAMS HELP YOU HONE YOUR SKILLS WHILE SAVING ON CLE!



Associates looking to sharpen their bankruptcy knowledge should take advantage of ABI's special offer of combining general, business or consumer Nuts & Bolts online programs. Each program features an outstanding faculty of judges and practitioners explaining the fundamentals of bankruptcy, offering procedures and strategies tailored for both consumer and business attorneys. Click here to get the CLE you need at a great low price!

NEW CASE SUMMARY ON VOLO: RYAN V. U.S. (IN RE RYAN; 7TH CIR.)



Summarized by Penelope Bach of Sulaiman Law Group

The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the decision of the the bankruptcy court holding that the bankruptcy court's interpretation of § 506(d) as stated in Dewsnup v. Timm (502 U.S. 410 (1992)) applies in chapter 13 cases as well as chapter 7 cases.

There are more than 900 appellate opinions summarized on Volo, and summaries typically appear within 24 hours of the ruling. Click here regularly to view the latest case summaries on ABI’s Volo website.

NEW ON ABI’S BANKRUPTCY BLOG EXCHANGE: SUPREME COURT TO CONSIDER WHETHER STERN ALLOWS WAIVER OR CONSENT

The Bankruptcy Blog Exchange is a free ABI service that tracks 35 bankruptcy-related blogs. A recent post takes a closer look in at Executive Benefits Insurance Agency v. Arkison, No. 12-1200, which was granted certiorari on June 24. The post said that the Supreme Court has set the stage to flesh out the practical impact of Stern v. Marshall because it squarely raises the issue of whether a party can waive its right to insist on a trial before an Article III tribunal and the related question of whether consent is permissible.

Be sure to check the site several times each day; any time a contributing blog posts a new story, a link to the story will appear on the top. If you have a blog that deals with bankruptcy, or know of a good blog that should be part of the Bankruptcy Exchange, please contact the ABI Web team.

ABI Quick Poll

When will the dowward trend of consumer bankruptcy filings turn around?

Click here to vote on this week's Quick Poll. Click here to view the results of previous Quick Polls.

INSOL INTERNATIONAL



INSOL International is a worldwide federation of national associations for accountants and lawyers who specialize in turnaround and insolvency. There are currently 37 member associations worldwide with more than 9,000 professionals participating as members of INSOL International. As a member association of INSOL, ABI's members receive a discounted subscription rate. See ABI's enrollment page for details.

Have a Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn Account?

Join our networks to expand yours.

2013

July

- Northeast Bankruptcy Conference and Northeast Consumer Forum

     July 11-14, 2013 | Newport, R.I.

- abiLIVE Webinar

     July 11-14, 2013 | Newport, R.I.

- Southeast Bankruptcy Workshop

     July 18-21, 2013 | Amelia Island, Fla.

August

- Mid-Atlantic Bankruptcy Workshop

    August 8-10, 2013 | Hershey, Pa.

- Southwest Bankruptcy Conference

    August 22-24, 2013 | Incline Village, Nev.

September

- ABI Endowment Golf & Tennis Outing

    Sept. 10, 2013 | Maplewood, N.J.

- ABI Endowment Baseball Game

    Sept. 12, 2013 | Baltimore, Md.

- Lawrence P. King and Charles Seligson Workshop on Bankruptcy & Business Reorganization

    Sept. 18-19, 2013 | New York

- Bankruptcy 2013: Views from the Bench

    Sept. 27, 2013 | Washington, D.C.

October

- Midwestern Bankruptcy Institute Program and Midwestern Consumer Forum

    Oct. 4, 2013 | Kansas City, Mo.

- ABI Endowment Football Game

    Oct. 6, 2013 | Miami, Fla.

- Professional Development Program

    Oct. 11, 2013 | New York, N.Y.

- Chicago Consumer Bankruptcy Conference

    Oct. 14, 2013 | Chicago, Ill.

November

- Austin Advanced Consumer Bankruptcy Practice Institute

   Nov. 10-12, 2013 | Austin, Texas

- Detroit Consumer Bankruptcy Conference

   Nov. 11, 2013 | Detroit, Mich.

December

- ABI/St. John’s Bankruptcy Mediation Training

    Dec. 8-12, 2013 | New York

DETROIT LOOKS TO REENGINEER HOW CITY GOVERNMENT WORKS

The nation's largest municipal bankruptcy case revealed a startling level of dysfunction inside Detroit's government, including meter maids who were required to wear pants without pockets to prevent the theft of city funds and a jury-rigged firehouse alarm system that relied on a fax machine, the Wall Street Journal reported yesterday. "We found many practices that made no sense," said Chuck Moore, a consultant from restructuring firm Conway MacKenzie Inc. whose team has been embedded in the city's government for more than a year. As the city prepares to exit bankruptcy court, it will have to learn a new approach to providing basic services while staying within its means. Detroit plans to spend $1.7 billion over the next decade to improve services, earmarking about $400 million to tear down abandoned houses, $100 million toward a more reliable bus system, $260 million to make its streets safer and more than $150 million to upgrade outdated technology. "Detroit's inability to provide adequate municipal services runs deep and has for years," U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Steven Rhodes said in his ruling Friday approving the city's restructuring plan, which calls for cutting $7 billion in debt. "It is inhumane and intolerable, and it must be fixed." The process of re-engineering how Detroit works is expected to be bumpy. Financial experts who examined the city's operations say that Detroit remains burdened by out-of-date union rules, local laws and charter provisions. Consequently, Detroit is facing pressure to change the way it does business. Click here to read the full article (subscription required).

Click here to read the transcript of the Oral Opinion on the Record from the Detroit proceedings. To hear a reading of the transcript, click here.

OPPONENTS SAY DETROIT BANKRUPTCY ILLEGAL, PLAN APPEAL

Critics of Michigan's emergency manager law and Detroit's bankruptcy pledged yesterday to keep up their fight against what they called an illegal and immoral attack on a predominantly African-American city, the Detroit Free Press reported yesterday. The groups alleged that the city's bankruptcy exit plan unfairly benefits financial institutions on the backs of retirees of modest means and the poor. Members of Detroiters Resisting Emergency Management and other activist groups say that Detroit's bankruptcy amounted to wealthy banks and other investors getting off easily while impoverished Detroiters continue to face deep sacrifices, including losing homes and access to affordable water, and enduring cuts to pensions and health care. The group We the People of Detroit has also spoken out against bankruptcy deals that reduced pensions and health care for city workers and retirees while giving creditors valuable city real estate. Detroit Water and Sewerage Department retiree William Davis, a member of the Detroit Active and Retired City Employees Association, said that he and others in his group were formulating appeals of U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Steven Rhodes' ruling. Davis, an African-American, said that black Detroiters are bearing the brunt of the bankruptcy, and that few seem to care. "I personally think they all need to go to jail," Davis said of the leaders behind the bankruptcy. "We think this whole process is illegal and just wrong." Click here to read the full article.

ANALYSIS: CAN YOU REALLY END "TOO BIG TO FAIL"?

Taxpayer bailouts of banks will be a thing of the past once rules being hammered out in Switzerland are implemented, or so regulators would have us believe, according to an analysis in the Wall Street Journal yesterday. The world's 30 biggest and most systemically important banks will have to hold up to a fifth of their risk-weighted assets in equity or debt on which investors can take losses if total loss-absorbing capacity (TLAC) proposals unveiled Monday by the Financial Stability Board, a Basel-based international regulatory committee, are adopted. The plans, which would be set in place in 2019 at the earliest, are intended to avoid the chaos, confusion and public-sector rescues of private institutions that characterized the financial crisis triggered by the Lehman Brothers bankruptcy. Instead, if one of these institutions runs into problems because it's been badly run, shareholders and investors of its riskiest tranches of debt will have to suffer the losses. But if investors know they'll be rescued ahead of time, markets might tend to break down more often on the theory that people who are insured will take greater risks than they might have otherwise taken. Banks are critical to the efficient running of a market economy in ways other firms aren't, so when a financial crisis hits, the ramifications can be widespread and self-sustaining — and bank failures trigger further failures in a domino effect. Given the moral hazard risk, central banks are keen to ensure that banks have enough capital to bear the costs of their own bad judgment rather than shifting them onto the general population — hence, a 16 to 20 percent buffer, although even that understates the true scale of the buffer, according to banking specialists. Firms forced into liquidation typically sell assets at a discount to the going rate. Factoring those losses in, the actual buffer will be as much as a quarter of risk capital. But will it work? Click here to read the full analysis.

DINGED CREDIT? CARD ISSUERS ARE HAPPY TO LEND

Consumers with dinged credit are back in a borrowing mood, and lenders are more than happy to give them new credit cards, CNBC reported yesterday. Since the Great Recession ended five years ago, consumers have been gradually taking on more debt and lenders have been accommodating them, easing up on tighter standards. Much of the growth has been in so-called non-revolving credit, especially car loans, thanks to record-low interest rates. But revolving credit — mainly in the form of credit cards — is picking up. And the biggest growth in new credit cards is coming from subprime borrowers whose credit scores are less than 660, according to the latest Equifax data. Through July of this year, banks handed out cards to 9.8 million subprime consumers, a six-year high and an increase of 43 percent from the same period last year. Lenders are also giving subprime borrowers higher credit limits. Part of the growth is the result of an easing of the tighter standards that followed the 2008 credit bust after the boom of the early-2000s. Now that banks have repaired the damage from billions of dollars in bad debts, they're better able to take on more risk. As they hand out more accounts and higher limits to consumers with lower credit scores, though, lenders face a higher risk that they won't get paid back. As a result, some card issuers are bracing for a fresh round of bad debts by setting aside more in reserve to cover the cost of charging off unpaid card balances. But card companies are largely banking on profits from issuing new credit cards more than offsetting those higher loan losses. Click here to read the full article.

ANALYSIS: WHAT IF THE MUCH-EXPECTED ECONOMIC GROWTH BURST IS ACTUALLY A BUST?

After last Friday's good news of continued job growth and falling unemployment, economists are starting to wonder aloud how soon unemployment will reach its "natural" or "long-term" rate, according to a Wall Street Journal analysis today. If 5 percent unemployment is achieved in 2015, as some predict, how much room will be left for economic recovery? We've been thinking of the U.S. economy as being below its potential for so many years that it comes as a shock when the data suggest that we might be approaching a new normal, according to the analysis. A working paper by Northwestern University economist Robert Gordon in August lays out the case for pessimism. He runs through several scenarios to try to justify optimistic growth forecasts like that of the Congressional Budget Office. During economic recoveries, growth and employment usually rise hand-in-hand. If the unemployment rate is an accurate indicator, Gordon argues, there is little room left for recovery in growth, and there is little room for improvement in the utilization of industrial capacity, which is only slightly below the levels attained during recent expansions. The last hope for a sudden return of growth is an unexpected boost in productivity. That would be welcome, but there is no reason to expect a sudden change. With the distinct possibility that the long-predicted growth burst will never arrive, policymakers should take seriously warnings about unfunded U.S. obligations and should welcome even small tweaks to policy that could improve efficiency by easing regulations on economic activity. Click here to read the full analysis.

Click here to read Robert Gordon's report, "A New Method of Estimating Potential Real GDP Growth: Implications for the Labor Market and the Debt/GDP Ratio."

USTP NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING ON CHAPTER 11 MONTHLY OPERATING REPORTS

Section 602 of the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 (BAPCPA) authorizes the U.S. Trustee Program (USTP) to issue rules requiring uniform periodic reports by debtors in possession or trustees in non-small business cases under chapter 11. The USTP just published in the Federal Register a notice of proposed rulemaking seeking public comment on the proposed rule and periodic report forms. The proposed rule is published in the Federal Register at 79 FR 66659 (Nov. 10, 2014) (to be codified at 28 C.F.R. pt. 58). The proposed rule, along with the proposed periodic report forms and instructions, may be viewed on the USTP's website. The proposed rule may also be accessed at www.regulations.gov. All public comments must be submitted on or before January 9, 2015, via www.regulations.gov. Please note that the proposed rule and forms only apply in chapter 11 cases filed by debtors that are not small businesses. Small business debtors are already required to use Official Form 25C, "Small Business Monthly Operating Report."

NOW AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER: BEST OF ABI 2014 BOOK BUNDLE

Now available for pre-order in the ABI Bookstore is the Best of ABI 2014 book bundle containing The Year in Business Bankruptcy and The Year in Consumer Bankruptcy. These must-have references contain the best ABI Journal articles and papers from ABI's top-rated educational seminars, with Spring 2014 ABI Resident Scholar Prof. Charles Tabb selecting the most important developments in business bankruptcy and Fall 2014 ABI Resident Scholar Prof. Lois Lupica choosing important consumer bankruptcy developments. Make sure to log in to the site to get your discounted ABI member pricing. The ABI member price for each book is $50, but take advantage of this bundle offer and save even more! The books will ship in early December. Click here to order.

NEXT FREE COMMITTEE TELECONFERENCE WILL BE TOMORROW'S ASSET SALES COMMITTEE CALL ON CHAPTER 11 COMMISSION PROPOSAL!

Members are encouraged to dial-in and listen to or participate on upcoming ABI Committee conference calls. While committee membership is encouraged, it is not required to join the free teleconferences. Upcoming committee teleconferences include:

- Asset Sales Committee: Wednesday, Nov. 12; 4 p.m. ET

Topic: "Chapter 11 Reform Commission's Consideration of a Proposal to Surcharge Secured Lenders for 363 Asset Sales"

Speakers: Kathryn A. Coleman of Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP and Gregory A. Bray. Moderator: Risa Wolf-Smith of Holland & Hart LLP.

All committee teleconferences are free to ABI members, and registration is not required. Simply utilize the following dial-in information:



Call in: (712) 432-1500

Participant code: 692933

NEXT ABI LIVE WEBINAR ON NOV. 20 FOCUSES ON PROFESSIONAL FEE CASE BEFORE THE SUPREME COURT

The next abiLIVE webinar will be held on Nov. 20 and will feature a discussion on a case before the Supreme Court that could have a major impact on professional fees for bankruptcy practitioners. In this 75-minute webinar, Thomas J. Salerno of Gordon Silver (Phoenix) and J. Maxwell Tucker of Squire Patton Boggs LLP (Dallas), along with moderator Judge Gregg W. Zive (D. Nev.; Reno, Nevada), will discuss the professional fee issues presented in Baker Botts LLP v. ASARCO LLC, No. 14-103, which was granted certiorari by the Supreme Court on Oct. 2. Click here to register for this important webinar!

ABI MEMBERS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA: DON'T MISS TOMORROW'S SPECIAL TMA EVENT TO BENEFIT THE WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT

ABI members are invited to attend TMA Southern California's special fundraiser to support the Wounded Warrior Project and SoCal veteran support groups on Nov. 12 at the Beverly Hilton. Funds raised will benefit the Wounded Warrior Project, Veterans Legal Institute and the Public Law Center. For more information or to attend, please click here.

ABI MEMBERS INVITED TO ATTEND RETIREMENT DINNER FOR BANKRUPTCY JUDGE PETER J. WALSH ON NOV. 19

ABI members are invited to a special retirement dinner on Nov. 19 honoring the Hon. Peter J. Walsh's 50 years of dedicated service to the bench and bar. The event will be held at the Chase Center on the Riverfront in Wilmington, Del., and is being hosted by the Bankruptcy Section of the Delaware State Bar Association and the Delaware Chapter of the Federal Bar Association. Questions should be directed to Karen B. Owens at 302-654-1888. To attend, please go to https://sites-pepperhamilton.vuturevx.com/107/772/uploads/judge-walsh-retirement-dinner-form.pdf

ABI MEMBERS WELCOME TO ATTEND TRIBUTE DINNER ON DEC. 11 TO HONOR BANKRUPTCY JUDGE STEVEN W. RHODES

ABI members are invited to attend a tribute dinner honoring the 29 years of service of Bankruptcy Judge Steven W. Rhodes of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Michigan for his commitment to the bench, bar and community. The Tribute Dinner will be held at the Roostertail on the Detroit River and is being hosted by the Bankruptcy Community to honor and celebrate Judge Rhodes' service and career. Please contact David Lerner at (248) 901-4010 for more information. To attend, please go to http://www.cbadetroit.com/events/Judge-Rhodes-USBC-Invite-and-Form.pdf

NEW CASE SUMMARY ON VOLO: SUSQUEHANNA BANK V. USA/IRS (IN RE RESTIVO AUTO BODY; 4TH CIR.)

Summarized by Ann Brogan of Crowley, Liberatore, Ryan & Brogan, P.C.

The Fourth Circuit affirmed the judgment of the U.S. District Court for the District of Baltimore affirming an appeal from the bankruptcy court but reversed the lower court, finding that Maryland's relation back statute applied. Instead, the Fourth Circuit upheld the alternative holding of the district court that the Maryland doctrine of equitable conversion gave the bank deed-of-trust priority over the IRS lien.

There are more than 1,500 appellate opinions summarized on Volo, and summaries typically appear within 24 hours of the ruling. Click here regularly to view the latest case summaries on ABI's Volo website.

NEW ON ABI'S BANKRUPTCY BLOG EXCHANGE: CRAMDOWN HURDLES, AND HOW TO PLAY THE CLASSIFICATION GAME (OR NOT)

A recent blog post takes a look at what happens when an amended reorganization plan creates separate classes of unsecured creditors, and whether it is always reasonable to do so.

Be sure to check the site several times each day; any time a contributing blog posts a new story, a link to the story will appear on the top. If you have a blog that deals with bankruptcy, or know of a good blog that should be part of the Bankruptcy Exchange, please contact the ABI Web team.

ABI Quick Poll

A single set of mandatory, uniform federal bankruptcy exemptions should be adopted.

Click here to vote on this week's Quick Poll. Click here to view the results of previous Quick Polls.

INSOL INTERNATIONAL

INSOL International is a worldwide federation of national associations for accountants and lawyers who specialize in turnaround and insolvency. There are currently 43 member associations worldwide with more than 9,000 professionals participating as members of INSOL International. As a member association of INSOL, ABI's members receive a discounted subscription rate. See ABI's enrollment page for details.

Have a Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn Account?

Join our networks to expand yours.

2014

November
- abiLIVE Webinar
    Nov. 20, 2014

December
- Winter Leadership Conference
    Dec. 4-6, 2014 | Palm Springs, Calif.

- 40-Hour Mediation Training Program
   Dec. 7-11, 2014 | New York

January
- New Orleans Consumer Bankruptcy Conference
    Jan. 19, 2015 | New Orleans

- Rocky Mountain Bankruptcy Conference
    Jan. 22-23, 2015 | Denver

February
- Caribbean Insolvency Symposium
    Feb. 5-7, 2015 | Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands

- VALCON 2015
    Feb. 25-27, 2015 | Las Vegas

March
- Bankruptcy Battleground West
    March 24, 2015 | Los Angeles, Calif.

COMMENTARY: HOUSING PRICES STABILIZING WHERE LENDERS CAN ENFORCE CONTRACTS



Data from Case-Shiller, Lender Processing Services and other housing trackers suggest that the housing rebound is strongest in states where lenders can enforce contracts, according to an editorial in yesterday's Wall Street Journal. The editorial refers to the difference between "nonjudicial" states that have streamlined foreclosure procedures and the 23 "judicial" states that force lenders to go to court to enforce mortgage contracts. Prices are stabilizing in the former but still faltering in much of the latter. Housing markets cannot clear until lenders can foreclose on delinquent borrowers and prices fall far enough to attract buyers who can afford the mortgage payments, according to the editorial. Politicians and housing lobbyists decry nonjudicial foreclosure as unfair to borrowers, but every homeowner in any state has the right to challenge a foreclosure in court, regardless of whether they live in a nonjudicial state. The main difference is that in a judicial state the lender has to file a lawsuit to initiate a foreclosure, which can take months or years to settle depending on the state. Lender Processing Services estimates that the foreclosure inventory in judicial states is more than triple that of nonjudicial states. The Mortgage Bankers Association's latest National Delinquency Survey, which ended September 30, showed that of the top five states with the highest share of loans in foreclosure, four were judicial: Florida (13.04 percent), New Jersey (8.87 percent), Illinois (6.83 percent) and New York (6.46 percent). Read the full editorial. (Subscription required.)

ANALYSIS: SHORT SALES IN CALIFORNIA SURPASS SALES OF FORECLOSED HOMES



Real estate research firm DataQuick is reporting that short sales in California in recent months have surpassed sales of foreclosed homes for the first time since the start of the housing crash in 2007, the Los Angeles Times reported yesterday. The transactions now represent about a quarter of the market, a surge driven by rising home prices, government crackdowns on foreclosures and banks' increasing capacity to process the deals. Lenders have revamped short sale departments, streamlining paperwork, creating new software systems and enlisting newly formed companies as liaisons with borrowers. Some institutions are even paying homeowners sizable sums to move, similar to "cash for keys" arrangements used as an alternative to eviction in foreclosures. Bank of America pays up to $30,000 in relocation assistance for certain successful short sales. JPMorgan Chase will pay up to $35,000. Wells Fargo offers similar aid, though it declined to specify an amount. Read more.

LENDER REVIEW OF BORROWERS TIGHTENED UNDER CFPB'S NEW MORTGAGE RULES



The U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued a rule today that for the first time forces lenders to verify borrowers’ ability to repay mortgages by confirming income and assets, Bloomberg News reported. The rule, mandated by Congress in response to lax underwriting standards before the 2008 financial crisis, will also offer some legal protection for lenders who follow guidelines for qualified mortgages. The measure also insulates issuers of qualified mortgages at prime interest rates from future lawsuits. The qualified-mortgage rule will apply to home loans in the underwriting phase, whether made by banks such as Bank of America Corp. and/or non-depository originators. The rule on repayment ability is the first in a series of rules that the CFPB will issue that will shape the post-crisis mortgage market. The bureau will unveil rules on mortgage servicing at a Jan. 17 hearing in Atlanta. Read more.

CONSUMER DEBT INCREASES ON MORE CAR, SCHOOL LOANS



The Federal Reserve issued a report on Tuesday showing that consumers increased their borrowing in November by $16 billion from October to a seasonally adjusted record of $2.77 trillion, the Associated Press reported yesterday. Borrowing that covers autos and student loans increased $15.2 billion. A category that measures credit card debt rose just $817 million. The sharp difference in the borrowing gains illustrates a broader trend that began during the Great Recession. Four years ago, Americans carried $1.03 trillion in credit card debt, an all-time high. In November, that figure was 16.5 percent lower. At the same time, student loan debt has increased dramatically. The category that includes auto and student loans is 22.8 percent higher than in July 2008. Read more.

LATEST BLOOMBERG "BILL ON BANKRUPTCY" VIDEO: FEE AGREEMENT PUTS LAW FIRM IN TRUSTEE'S SIGHTS



Law firm Kaye Scholer LLP and financial advisor Capstone Advisory Group LLC are in the sights of a U.S. Trustee aiming to claw back $12 million for an undisclosed agreement to share fees awarded in the now-completed bankruptcy of GSC Group Inc. In their latest video, Bloomberg Law's Lee Pacchia and Bloomberg News bankruptcy columnist Bill Rochelle pose the question of whether the dispute involves a serious ethical lapse or a hypertechnical reading of an ambiguous statute. Click here to view.

CHAPTER 9s, NONPROFITS AND OTHER NONTRADITIONAL RESTRUCTURING PROCESSES AMONG TOPICS TO BE DISCUSSED AT ABI'S 31ST ANNUAL SPRING MEETING



The 2013 Annual Spring Meeting, to be held April 18-21, 2013 at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Md., features a roster of the best national speakers, while the depth and scope of topics offer something for everyone. Specifically, four concurrent workshops will cover various “tracks,” including programs for attorneys in commercial cases, a track for restructuring professionals, a track of professional development programming and a track dealing solely with consumer issues. More than 16 hours of CLE/CPE is offered in some states, along with ethics credit totaling 3 hours, making the cost only about $50 per credit. In addition, committee sessions will drill down on other topics to provide you with the most practical and varied CLE/CPE experience ever. Sessions include:

• 17th Annual Great Debates on Hot Business and Consumer Topics

• Mediation: The Rational Alternative

• Creditors’ Committees and the Role of Indenture Trustees and Related Issues

• Current Issues for Financial Advisors in Bankruptcy Cases

• The Individual Conundrum: Chapter 7, 11 or 13?

• The Power to Veto Bankruptcy Sales

• Real Estate Issues in Health Care Restructurings

• Law Firm Bankruptcies

• How to Be a Successful Expert

• The Ethical Compass: Multiple Ethical Schemes Applicable to Financial Advisors

• Chapter 9s, Nonprofits and Other Nontraditional Restructuring Processes

• And much more!

The Spring Meeting will also feature a field hearing of the ABI Commission to Study the Reform of Chapter 11, a report from the ABI Ethics Task Force, a luncheon panel discussion moderated by Bill Rochelle of Bloomberg News, and a Final Night Gala Dinner featuring a concert by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts!

Register today!

ABI IN-DEPTH

ABI LIVE WEBINAR: REVISITING RADLAX AND HALL- NEW LEGAL AND PRACTICAL IMPACT OF THE DECISIONS



See why this was the top-rated panel at the ABI Winter Leadership Conference last month! Join the expert panel on Feb. 19 from 12:00-1:15pm EST as the summarize and discuss the legal impact and practical implications of the Supreme Court’s 2012 decisions in Radlax and Hall. Participants include:

• Susan M. Freeman of Lewis and Roca LLP (Phoenix)

• Adam A. Lewis of Morrison & Foerster LLP (San Francisco)

• Prof. Charles J. Tabb of the University of Illinois College of Law (Champaign, Ill.)

• Eric E. Walker of Perkins Coie LLP (Chicago)

Click here to register!

LATEST CASE SUMMARY ON VOLO: ELLIOT V. SUTTON (IN RE ELLIOTT; 5TH CIR.)



Summarized by Brendan Gage, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Eastern & Western Districts of Arkansas

Affirming the judgment of the District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, the Fifth Circuit held that a bankruptcy court may sua sponte convert a debtor’s chapter 13 case to a case under chapter 7 even when the debtor opposes conversion and moves to dismiss the case pursuant to § 1307(b).

There are more than 700 appellate opinions summarized on Volo, and summaries typically appear within 24 hours of the ruling. Click here regularly to view the latest case summaries on ABI’s Volo website.

NEW ON ABI’S BANKRUPTCY BLOG EXCHANGE: EXAMINING CALPERS’ LOSS IN THE SAN BERNARDINO CHAPTER 9 CASE



The Bankruptcy Blog Exchange is a free ABI service that tracks 35 bankruptcy-related blogs. A new post examines the decision of a bankruptcy judge to deny the motion of the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CALPERS) that it filed in the bankruptcy proceedings of the city of San Bernardino to have the automatic stay lifted with respect to overdue pension payments. Bankruptcy Judge Meredith Jury based her denial partly on the city’s representations that forcing the payment of outstanding CALPERS obligations at this time would be a “death knell” for the city.

Be sure to check the site several times each day; any time a contributing blog posts a new story, a link to the story will appear on the top. If you have a blog that deals with bankruptcy, or know of a good blog that should be part of the Bankruptcy Exchange, please contact the ABI Web team.

ABI Quick Poll

After Stern, bankruptcy courts do not have the constitutional authority to enter final judgments on fraudulent conveyance claims.

Click here to vote on this week's Quick Poll. Click here to view the results of previous Quick Polls.

INSOL INTERNATIONAL



INSOL International is a worldwide federation of national associations for accountants and lawyers who specialize in turnaround and insolvency. There are currently 37 member associations worldwide with more than 9,000 professionals participating as members of INSOL International. As a member association of INSOL, ABI's members receive a discounted subscription rate. See ABI's enrollment page for details.

Have a Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn Account?

Join our networks to expand yours.

2013

January

- Western Consumer Bankruptcy Conference

     January 21, 2013 | Las Vegas, Nev.

- Rocky Mountain Bankruptcy Conference

     January 24-25, 2013 | Denver, Colo.

February

- Caribbean Insolvency Symposium

     February 7-9, 2013 | Miami, Fla.

- ABI Live Webinar: Revisiting RadLAX and Hall- New Legal and Practical Impact of the Decisions

     February 19, 2013

- VALCON 2013

     February 20-22, 2013 | Las Vegas, Nev.

March

- 37th Annual Alexander L. Paskay Seminar on Bankruptcy Law and Practice

     March 7-9, 2013 | St. Petersburg, Fla.

- Bankruptcy Battleground West

     March 22, 2013 | Los Angeles, Calif.

April

- Annual Spring Meeting

     April 18-21, 2013 | National Harbor, Md.

FORMER TREASURY SECRETARY PAULSON REFLECTS ON TARP, BONUSES FIVE YEARS AFTER CRASH

Five years after the financial crisis, Henry M. Paulson Jr., former Treasury secretary, assessing the success of a bailout program, said that the bonuses that the banks paid after the bailouts -- a record $140 billion in 2009 -- fueled public outrage over the program he worked so hard to persuade Congress to pass and the country to support, the New York Times DealBook blog reported yesterday. "My view has nothing to do with legality and everything to do with what was right, and everything to do with just a colossal lack of self-awareness as to how they were viewed by the American public," Paulson said. For Paulson, the bailout program, known as the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP), was his crowning achievement during a historic financial crisis in which the global economy nearly toppled. While TARP was terribly unpopular, most economists now credit it and the extraordinary measures taken by the Federal Reserve with helping to prevent another depression. Yet questions about the bailouts remain, including why Paulson and Congress did not seek tighter restrictions on pay. He maintains that it would have been impossible to persuade the majority of the banks to participate in the program if it had significant restrictions on pay, and that to him, the most important aspect of TARP's success in stabilizing the system was that the entire industry participated at the same time. When pressed about whether U.S. banks would have truly been in a position to reject the recapitalization plan had tighter restrictions been put in place, Paulson pointed to the speed at which the banks paid back the TARP funds. "Just look how fast so many of them tried to pay back the capital once it was stigmatized," he said. "How do you ever implement restrictions like that on pay and do it in a way" that included all the banks, and not just those that "desperately needed the capital or were getting ready to fail? I don't know." Read more.

ANALYSIS: DESPITE LOWER UNEMPLOYMENT RATE, OLDER WORKERS FACE TROUBLING TRENDS OF REDUCED PAY AND LONGER JOB SEARCHES

Though they have a lower unemployment rate than other age brackets, a substantial number of older workers who lost jobs -- even those lucky enough to be re-employed -- are facing difficult trends, the New York Times reported today. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate for workers 55 to 64 (the category that best matches boomers, who range from 48 to 67) was 5.4 percent in July, compared with 7.4 percent for the general population. However, two-thirds of the Baby Boomer age group who found work again are making less than they did in their previous job. Most have found that their median salary loss is 18 percent compared with a 6.7 percent drop for 20- to 24-year-olds. The re-employment rate for 55- to 64-year-olds is 47 percent and 24 percent for those over 65, compared with 62 percent for 20- to 54-year-olds. And finding another job takes far longer: 46 weeks for boomers, compared with 20 weeks for 16- to 24-year-olds. Nor are those who believe age discrimination was a factor likely to have much luck in court. In 2009, just as the economy was hitting rock-bottom, the Supreme Court issued a ruling that toughened the standard for proving bias. Read more.

CREDIT CARD FIRMS COMPETING AGAIN WITH NO-INTEREST TRANSFERS

U.S. credit card companies, hungry for new customers as many Americans continue to shun debt, are pumping up a popular promotion that can be risky for both lenders and consumers, the Wall Street Journal reported today. The teasers, known as 0 percent balance transfers, have been used periodically since the late 1990s. The current offers, however, cover unusually lengthy periods and, in some cases, are being extended to a wider swath of potential customers than in the past, say industry executives and consultants. Those with spotty credit histories, however, still aren't eligible for the promotions. The offers are coming from the country's biggest credit-card issuers, including JPMorgan Chase & Co., Discover Financial Services Inc., and Citigroup Inc. Credit unions are also joining in: Navy Federal Credit Union is starting a promotion in September that offers all of its 4.5 million members, as well as new customers, an interest-free balance transfer for 12 months. Lenders are pushing the offers as they attempt to bulk up their loan portfolios, which shrank dramatically during the financial crisis while they were writing off bad loans and restricting credit. The strategy carries some risk for card issuers, which historically haven't done a good job of getting the customers who transfer balances to use the cards for new purchases. That leaves the bank with revenue only from the balance-transfer fee and stuck with the cost of maintaining an account. Some customers also pay off the full balance as the offer expires, or they jump to another lender that has a new offer. Read more. (Subscription required.)

LATEST ABI PODCAST: MAKING BANKRUPTCY WORK FOR A SMALL BUSINESS DEBTOR

The latest ABI Podcast features Fall 2013 ABI Resident Scholar Prof. Kara Bruce speaking with Prof. Anne Lawton of Michigan State University about her proposal to simplify the definition of a small business debtor in bankruptcy. Prof. Lawton's proposal was featured in an article in the Summer edition of the ABI Law Review. To listen to the podcast, please click here.

ABI'S LATEST E-BOOK, PROBLEMS IN THE CODE, NOW AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE

Drawing on articles that originally appeared in the ABI Journal, as well as fresh new insights, Problems in the Code, the second in a digital series known as ABI Briefs, offers commentary from leading bankruptcy practitioners regarding areas of the Bankruptcy Code that, in their opinion, need reform. Edited by Howard Brod Brownstein, Problems in the Code includes sections on constitutional law, executory contracts, intellectual property, real estate and environmental issues, and confirmation and post-confirmation issues. A final chapter details the work of the ABI Commission to Study the Reform of Chapter 11. The new e-book is available for the low member price of $9.99!

RECORDING NOW AVAILABLE OF THE ABILIVE WEBINAR EXAMINING THE NEW U.S. TRUSTEE FEE GUIDELINES!

If you were not able to join last week's well-attended abiLIVE webinar examining the U.S. Trustee Fee Guidelines for chapter 11 cases filed on or after Nov. 1, a recording of the program is now available for downloading! A panel of experts, including Clifford J. White, the director of the U.S. Trustee Program, discussed some of the ways the new guidelines could change day-to-day operations in firms, issues relating to the new market rate benchmarks, and how these changes might alter insolvency practice. The 90-minute recording is available for the special ABI member price of $75 and can be purchased here.

ABI GOLF TOUR UNDERWAY; LAST STOP FOR 2013 IS WINTER LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE IN DECEMBER

The 7th and final stop for the 2013 ABI Golf Tour is on Dec. 5 at the Trump National Golf Club, held in conjunction with ABI’s Winter Leadership Conference. Final scoring to win the Great American Cup — sponsored by Great American Group — is based on your top three scores from the seven ABI events. See the Tour page for details and course descriptions. The ABI Golf Tour combines networking with fun competition, as golfers "play their own ball." Including your handicap means everyone has an equal chance to compete for the glory of being crowned ABI's top golfer of 2013! A 22-handicapper won the tour event at July’s Southeast Bankruptcy Workshop. There's no charge to register or participate in the Tour.

ABI IN-DEPTH

NEW CASE SUMMARY ON VOLO: TOYE V. O'DONNELL (IN RE O'DONNELL; 1ST CIR.)

Summarized by Michael Sugar of Lobel, Neue & Till LLP

The First Circuit upheld the bankruptcy court's determination that David O'Donnell's debt to Thomas Toye III was nondischargeable. The bankruptcy court had held that O'Donnell had failed to properly supervise a loan adviser's preparation of O'Donnell's personal financial statement that was submitted to Toye as part of O'Donnell's agreement to repay a loan made by Toye to an O'Donnell-controlled entity.

There are more than 1,000 appellate opinions summarized on Volo, and summaries typically appear within 24 hours of the ruling. Click here regularly to view the latest case summaries on ABI’s Volo website.

NEW ON ABI’S BANKRUPTCY BLOG EXCHANGE: SEVENTH CIRCUIT SIDES WITH SIXTH CIRCUIT IN HOLDING THAT CONSENT DOES NOT CURE BANKRUPTCY COURTS' LACK OF FINAL CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY

The Bankruptcy Blog Exchange is a free ABI service that tracks 35 bankruptcy-related blogs. A recent blog post examines how, in last week's case of Wellness International Network v. Sharif, the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals weighed in on the circuit split regarding bankruptcy courts' authority to hear and determine "core" matters as to which they lack final constitutional authority.

Be sure to check the site several times each day; any time a contributing blog posts a new story, a link to the story will appear on the top. If you have a blog that deals with bankruptcy, or know of a good blog that should be part of the Bankruptcy Exchange, please contact the ABI Web team.

ABI Quick Poll

A class of claims should not be considered impaired for purposes of § 1129(a)(10) if the impairment results from the plan proponents' exercise of discretion (i.e., artificial impairment) and not driven by economic need. (In re Village at Camp Bowie I LP).

Click here to vote on this week's Quick Poll. Click here to view the results of previous Quick Polls.

INSOL INTERNATIONAL



INSOL International is a worldwide federation of national associations for accountants and lawyers who specialize in turnaround and insolvency. There are currently 43 member associations worldwide with more than 9,000 professionals participating as members of INSOL International. As a member association of INSOL, ABI's members receive a discounted subscription rate. See ABI's enrollment page for details.

Have a Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn Account?

Join our networks to expand yours.

2013

September

- ABI Endowment Golf & Tennis Outing

    Sept. 10, 2013 | Maplewood, N.J.

- ABI Endowment Baseball Game

    Sept. 12, 2013 | Baltimore, Md.

- Lawrence P. King and Charles Seligson Workshop on Bankruptcy & Business Reorganization

    Sept. 18-19, 2013 | New York

- abiLIVE Webinar: Complex Requirements and Ethical Duties of Representing Consumer Debtors

     Sept. 24, 2013

- Bankruptcy 2013: Views from the Bench

    Sept. 27, 2013 | Washington, D.C.

October

- Midwestern Bankruptcy Institute Program and Midwestern Consumer Forum

    Oct. 4, 2013 | Kansas City, Mo.

- Professional Development Program

    Oct. 11, 2013 | New York, N.Y.

- Chicago Consumer Bankruptcy Conference

    Oct. 14, 2013 | Chicago, Ill.

- International Insolvency & Restructuring Symposium

    Oct. 25, 2013 | Berlin, Germany

November

- Complex Financial Restructuring Program

   Nov. 7, 2013 | Philadelphia, Pa.

- Corporate Restructuring Competition

   Nov. 7-8, 2013 | Philadelphia, Pa.

- Austin Advanced Consumer Bankruptcy Practice Institute

   Nov. 10-12, 2013 | Austin, Texas

- Detroit Consumer Bankruptcy Conference

   Nov. 11, 2013 | Detroit, Mich.

- Delaware Views from the Bench

   Nov. 25, 2013 | Wilmington, Del.

December

- Winter Leadership Conference

    Dec. 5-7, 2013 | Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif.

- ABI/St. John’s Bankruptcy Mediation Training

    Dec. 8-12, 2013 | New York

CREDITOR LAWSUIT COULD UNDO AUTO BAILOUT, FORCE GM INTO BANKRUPTCY



A backroom deal negotiated by General Motors during the auto bailout to fulfill the Obama administration's demand for a quick bankruptcy could be reversed, draining the automaker of nearly all of its cash on hand and leaving it in worse shape than it was when it collapsed in 2009, according to a report in the Washington Free Beacon yesterday. As GM teetered on the edge of bankruptcy in June 2009, it cut a $367 million "lock-up agreement" with several major creditors in order to prevent its Canadian subsidiary from going under. The move spared the subsidiary from fulfilling the $1 billion debt it owed the creditors—major hedge funds—ensuring that GM would not have to face bankruptcy courts in two nations, which could have delayed the company’s recovery. "Many U.S. creditors waived their rights to object because the government wanted to push through the bailout for political reasons," risk analyst Chris Whalen said. "If they had continued through normal channels, they could have easily been in bankruptcy for five years." "When I approved the sale agreement and entered the sale approval order, I mistakenly thought that I was merely saving GM, the supply chain, and about a million jobs,” Bankruptcy Judge Robert Gerber said in July. “It never once occurred to me, and nobody bothered to disclose, that amongst all of the assigned contracts was this lock-up agreement, if indeed it was assigned at all." Industry experts say that GM should be very concerned with the judge’s reaction to the deal. More is at stake than the roughly $1 billion that “old GM’s” spurned creditors are seeking, according to industry observers. Judge Gerber may have to reopen the entire bailout, and that, according to bankruptcy experts, could unravel the entire settlement. Read more.

U.S. CHARGES 530 PEOPLE IN MORTGAGE PROBE WITH $1 BILLION IN LOSSES



Attorney General Eric Holder said today that the U.S. brought charges against 530 people over mortgage schemes that cost homeowners more than $1 billion, Bloomberg News reported. More than 73,000 homeowners were victims of various frauds for which charges were filed during a year-long crackdown, including "foreclosure rescue schemes" that take advantage of those who have fallen behind on payments, the Justice Department said. Typical schemes involved promises to homeowners that foreclosures could be prevented by payment of a fee, according to the statement. As part of the schemes, "investors" purchase the mortgage or the titles of homes are transferred to those taking part in the fraud, resulting in homeowners losing their property, the department said. Read more.

COURT SAYS CONGRESS CANNOT BLOCK PAY HIKES FOR JUDGES



The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in a 10-2 decision on Friday found that Congress cannot revoke cost-of-living adjustments promised to federal judges in the Ethics Reform Act of 1989, reversing the court's holding to the contrary in 2001, the National Law Journal reported yesterday. Six current and retired federal judges sued over Congress' decision to block cost-of-living adjustments in the past and whether legislation passed after the court's 2001 decision overrode provisions of the 1989 law. In the Oct. 5 decision, the court found that Congress had violated the Compensation Clause of the Constitution, which aims to protect judicial independence by limiting the ability of the other branches of government from reducing judges' salaries. If Congress wanted to amend the 1989 law, the judges wrote, it could, but not in a way that affected any sitting judges. Read more.

WALL STREET REGULATOR RAMPS UP ENFORCEMENT



The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), once considered a toothless regulator, brought a record number of enforcement cases over the past year as fines soared, the New York Times DealBook blog reported on Friday. The agency said on Friday that it levied $585 million in sanctions during its 2012 fiscal year, which ended Sept. 30, up from $450 million the year before. The surge in fines is largely tied to one case. In June, the British bank Barclays agreed to pay $200 million to the agency for trying to manipulating a crucial interest rate. Read more.

ABI MEMBERS CAN RECEIVE A DISCOUNT ON THEIR PURCHASE OF A DEBTOR WORLD



A Debtor World, published by Oxford University Press, contains a collection of contributions about the societal implications of private debt from top scholars at the 2008 Debt Symposium sponsored by ABI and hosted by the University of Illinois College of Law. The essays comprising this volume are authored by dozens of leading U.S. and international academics who have written about debt or issues related to debt in a wide range of disciplines including law, sociology, psychology, history, economics and more. The collection explores debt as neither a problem nor a solution but as a phenomenon, and promotes the exchange of knowledge to better comprehend why consumers and businesses decide to borrow money. It explores what happens to businesses and consumers under heavy debt loads, and what legal norms and institutions societies need in order to encourage the efficient use of debt while promoting a greater understanding of the global phenomenon of increased indebtedness and societal dependence. To order your copy and receive an ABI member discount, please click here and enter promo code "31256" when making your purchase. The discount expires 12/31.

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR STEVEN GOLICK, A COLLEAGUE AND ABI LEADER



Our friend Steven Golick (Osler Hoskin & Harcourt LLP, Toronto) is facing a medical crisis. He has been diagnosed with a serious brain tumor, requiring complex surgery and treatment. Steven’s spirits are very strong and he and his family remain optimistic, but he can use our support. A prominent international restructuring attorney and an ABI member since 1994, Steven is also a founding member of the ABI house band, the Indubitable Equivalents. Because the band is important to Steven, his fellow band-mates have organized a new Blog site for Steven's friends and colleagues to show their love and support at this critical time. Please click on this link to share your thoughts with many others, and post as often as you'd like.

ABI IN-DEPTH

LAST CHANCE TO GET YOUR TICKET FOR TOMORROW’S PLAYOFF GAME TO SEE THE ST. LOUIS CARDINALS TAKE ON THE WASHINGTON NATIONALS IN D.C.!



Only a few tickets remain to the ABI Endowment's special event at Nationals Park tomorrow at 1 p.m. ET to see the St. Louis Cardinals take on the Washington Nationals in Game 3 of the National League Division Series. For $400, you will receive a game ticket to a luxury suite, food and open bar. Don't miss playoff baseball in Washington, D.C.! Click here to register!

Sponsorships Are also Available!

Stand out from the crowd and sponsor this historic playoff event! Bring a client; tickets included with your sponsorship. All sponsorships are tax deductible. Click here for details.

MEMBERS WILL NOT WANT TO MISS ABI'S PROGRAM AT NCBJ'S ANNUAL MEETING ON OCT. 26



Members planning to attend the 86th Annual NCBJ Annual Conference in San Diego from Oct. 24-27 will not want to miss the exciting line-up scheduled for the ABI program track on Oct. 26. In addition to roundtable discussions on the hottest consumer and business bankruptcy topics, ABI will be hosting a ticketed luncheon that will feature the presentation of the 7th Annual Judge William L. Norton, Jr. Judicial Excellence Award and entertainment by Apollo Robbins, a sleight-of hand artist, security consultant and self-described gentleman thief. Click here to register for the Conference.

To view the list of ABI programs on Oct. 26 and the full NCBJ Annual Conference schedule, please click here.



ABI's Chapter 11 Reform Commission will also be holding a public hearing on Oct. 26 from 2:30-4:30 p.m. PT at the San Diego Marriott. Interested parties have the opportunity to submit testimony at the hearing. For further information, please contact ABI Executive Director Samuel J. Gerdano at sgerdano@abiworld.org.

LATEST CASE SUMMARY ON VOLO: LIQUIDATORS OF LEHMAN BROTHERS AUSTRALIA LTD. V. LEHMAN BROTHERS SPECIAL FINANCING INC. (IN RE LEHMAN BROTHERS HOLDINGS INC.; 2D CIR.)



Summarized by Janice Grubin of Todtman, Nachamie, Spizz & Johns, P.C.

The Second Circuit vacated and remanded the judgment of the district court and reinstated the appeal for consideration of the bankruptcy court order denying intervention on the merits. Given that (1) denials of intervention are generally considered to be final appealable orders in the non-bankruptcy context, (2) the bankruptcy standard for finality is more flexible than other civil litigation and (3) the pragmatic approach is required by the instant circumstances, the Circuit held that the bankruptcy court's denial of the appellants' motions to intervene was a final, appealable order.

There are more than 650 appellate opinions summarized on Volo, and summaries typically appear within 24 hours of the ruling. Click here regularly to view the latest case summaries on ABI’s Volo website.

NEW ON ABI’S BANKRUPTCY BLOG EXCHANGE: PINNACLE UNIONS BALK AT AIRLINE'S ATTEMPTS TO SCRAP CONTRACT



The Bankruptcy Blog Exchange is a free ABI service that tracks 35 bankruptcy-related blogs. A recent blog post reported on how Pinnacle Airlines Corp.'s thousands of pilots and flight attendants are objecting to the airline’s bid to scrap their contracts, a move the regional carrier says is necessary to exit bankruptcy protection.

Be sure to check the site several times each day; any time a contributing blog posts a new story, a link to the story will appear on the top. If you have a blog that deals with bankruptcy, or know of a good blog that should be part of the Bankruptcy Exchange, please contact the ABI Web team.

ABI Quick Poll

Bankruptcy courts should adopt formal loss mitigation procedures to facilitate the negotiation of residential mortgage modifications for consumer debtors.

Click here to vote on this week's Quick Poll. Click here to view the results of previous Quick Polls.

HAVE YOU TUNED IN TO BLOOMBERG LAW'S VIDEO PODCASTS?



Bloomberg Law's video podcasts feature top experts speaking about current bankruptcy topics. The podcasts are available via Bloomberg Law's YouTube channel so that you can access the programs from your computer or device of your choice! Click here to view the Bloomberg Law video podcasts.

INSOL INTERNATIONAL



INSOL International is a worldwide federation of national associations for accountants and lawyers who specialize in turnaround and insolvency. There are currently 37 member associations worldwide with more than 9,000 professionals participating as members of INSOL International. As a member association of INSOL, ABI's members receive a discounted subscription rate. See ABI's enrollment page for details.

Have a Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn Account?

Join our networks to expand yours.

October

- ABI Endowment Event: Nationals Playoff Game

     October 10, 2012 | Washington, D.C.

- "Trending Issues: Examiners and Select Plan Confirmation Issues" Webinar

October 15, 2012

- ABI/Bloomberg Distressed Lending Conference

October 16, 2012 | New York, N.Y..

- International Insolvency and Restructuring Symposium

     October 18, 2012 | Rome, Italy

- ABI/St. John's "Bankruptcy and Race: Is There a Relation?" Symposium

     October 19, 2012 | Queens, N.Y.

- ABI Program at NCBJ's Annual Conference

     October 26, 2012 | San Diego, Calif.

November

- U.S./Mexico Restructuring Symposium

     November 7, 2012 | Mexico City, Mexico

- Professional Development Program

     November 9, 2012 | New York, N.Y.

- Detroit Consumer Bankruptcy Conference

     November 12, 2012 | Detroit, Mich.

- Winter Leadership Conference

     November 29 - December 1, 2012 | Tucson, Ariz.

December

- Forty-Hour Bankruptcy Mediation Training

     December 4-8, 2012 | New York, N.Y.

2013

January

- Rocky Mountain Bankruptcy Conference

     January 24-25, 2013 | Denver, Colo.

February

- Kansas City Advanced Consumer Bankruptcy Practice Institute

     February 17-19, 2013 | Kansas City, Mo.

COMMENTARY: ALLOW PRIVATE EDUCATION LOAN DEBTS TO BE ERASED IN BANKRUPTCY



As total student loan debt exceeded $1 trillion in 2012, debt from student loans issued by private for-profit lenders is still not eligible to be discharged under the Bankruptcy Code, according to a commentary by Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.) in yesterday's edition of U.S. News & World Report. Private for-profit student loans often lack consumer protections and typically have variable interest rates with no caps, exorbitant fees, and hidden charges, according to Cohen. Private lenders do not deserve protection under the Bankruptcy Code because the "undue hardship" provision, first enacted in 1976, was intended to protect the taxpayer dollars that fund federal student loan programs, according to Cohen. "Yet Congress, in 2005, extended this protection to for-profit educational lenders, even though no taxpayer money was at stake," Cohen writes. He introduced H.R. 2028, the "Private Student Loan Bankruptcy Fairness Act," which would allow private education loan debts to once again be erased in bankruptcy just like other types of debts. "By restoring bankruptcy dischargeability, my legislation will ensure that lenders only make prudent loans and will encourage private lenders to work with financially distressed borrowers to modify loan terms," according to Cohen. Read the full commentary.

ANALYSIS: DO OR DIE FOR FOUR RETAILERS



While 2013 will be a tough year for retailers due to the tepid economic recovery, Best Buy, J.C. Penney, RadioShack and Sears face a critical 12 months, the Wall Street Journal reported today. These unlucky retailers are going into the New Year with extra woes: slipping sales, questionable strategies and tight finances. Best Buy Co. has been plagued by the retail phenomenon called "showrooming," where shoppers examine products in its stores but buy online through rivals. J.C. Penney Co. has been trying to shed its image as an old-fashioned department store, but its rapid and radical makeover has left it burning through cash and struggling to attract shoppers. RadioShack Corp.'s bet on mobile phones and tablets has backfired. Sears Holdings Corp.'s sales and profits continue to slide as the department store chain has been shoring up its liquidity by selling itself off in pieces—but some of its remaining assets might be tough to unload at a time when retailing is under pressure. Read more. (Subscription required.)

CONSUMER CONFIDENCE DECREASES IN DECEMBER



Confidence among U.S. consumers declined more than forecast in December as the budget debate in Washington, D.C., soured Americans' outlook on the economy, Bloomberg News reported today. The Conference Board's index of sentiment fell to 65.1 from a revised 71.5 reading the prior month, figures from the New York-based private research group showed today. A drop in consumer expectations for the next six months to a one-year low coincides with mounting concerns about looming tax increases and government budget cuts in 2013 that threaten expansion. At the same time, employment gains, rising home values, and lower gas prices may keep spending, which accounts for about 70 percent of the economy, from foundering. Read more.

SEC GOING HIGH-TECH WITH REAL-TIME TRADE DATA



As computing power and big data have revolutionized stock trading in recent years, the Securities and Exchange Commission is trying to catch up, the Washington Post reported today. This month, the agency is in the final phases of testing software that will stream real-time trade data into its headquarters, helping regulators better grasp the market’s plumbing. The technology should go live in early 2013, at a cost of $2.5 million for the year. The SEC is still coping with the public fallout from the “flash crash” that took place on May 6, 2010, when the stock market plunged nearly 1,000 points in minutes then whipsawed back up. It took the SEC about four months to unwind the billions of orders that took place that day and issue a report of what happened. Although the SEC started collecting the data in June 2010, it could not aggregate them into a single database for analysis until three months later. The incident made the wide gulf in technical prowess between the regulators and the regulated painfully clear, prompting the SEC to explore hiring an outside firm that could gather up-to-the-minute market feeds from the public exchanges. Read more.

ABI IN-DEPTH

LATEST CASE SUMMARY ON VOLO: IN RE SPANSION INC. (3D CIR.)



Summarized by Eduardo Glas of McCarter & English, LLP

The Third Circuit ruled that an agreement that settled litigation between Spansion and Apple at the International Trade Commision pursuant to which the debtor agreed not to sue Apple in the future over the use of flash memory products was a license, and its rejection by the debtor pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 365 permitted Apple to elect to retain its rights as licensee under 11 U.S.C. § 365(n).

There are more than 700 appellate opinions summarized on Volo, and summaries typically appear within 24 hours of the ruling. Click here regularly to view the latest case summaries on ABI’s Volo website.

NEW ON ABI’S BANKRUPTCY BLOG EXCHANGE: CALPERS SLAMS SAN BERNARDINO BANKRUPTCY AS "SHAM"



The Bankruptcy Blog Exchange is a free ABI service that tracks 35 bankruptcy-related blogs. A recent blog discusses CalPERS firing back at the city of San Bernardino and its pendency plan for operating during the Chapter 9 case, calling it “criminal” and a “sham.” Since filing for bankruptcy, the city has stopped making its biweekly payments to CalPERS. As a result, San Bernardino now owes CalPERS approximately $8 million.

For more on the San Bernardino case and chapter 9 issues, make sure to order a copy of ABI's latest publication, Municipalities in Peril: The ABI Guide to Chapter 9, Second Edition, now available for pre-order in ABI's Bookstore.

Be sure to check the site several times each day; any time a contributing blog posts a new story, a link to the story will appear on the top. If you have a blog that deals with bankruptcy, or know of a good blog that should be part of the Bankruptcy Exchange, please contact the ABI Web team.

ABI Quick Poll

A licensee of a trademark has the right to retain the license even when a debtor rejects the underlying contract creating the license. (Sunbeam Products, 7th Cir.)

Click here to vote on this week's Quick Poll. Click here to view the results of previous Quick Polls.

INSOL INTERNATIONAL



INSOL International is a worldwide federation of national associations for accountants and lawyers who specialize in turnaround and insolvency. There are currently 37 member associations worldwide with more than 9,000 professionals participating as members of INSOL International. As a member association of INSOL, ABI's members receive a discounted subscription rate. See ABI's enrollment page for details.

Have a Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn Account?

Join our networks to expand yours.

2013

January

- Western Consumer Bankruptcy Conference

     January 21, 2013 | Las Vegas, Nev.

- Rocky Mountain Bankruptcy Conference

     January 24-25, 2013 | Denver, Colo.

February

- Caribbean Insolvency Symposium

     February 7-9, 2013 | Miami, Fla.

- Kansas City Advanced Consumer Bankruptcy Practice Institute

     February 17-19, 2013 | Kansas City, Mo.

- VALCON 2013

     February 20-22, 2013 | Las Vegas, Nev.

March

- 37th Annual Alexander L. Paskay Seminar on Bankruptcy Law and Practice

     March 7-9, 2013 | St. Petersburg, Fla.

- Bankruptcy Battleground West

     March 22, 2013 | Los Angeles, Calif.

April

- Annual Spring Meeting

     April 18-21, 2013 | National Harbor, Md.

REPORT: MANY CAN'T PAY THEIR DIRECT FEDERAL STUDENT LOANS

Just about four in 10 borrowers with direct federal student loans are paying them back, according to a report released yesterday that offers the first comprehensive snapshot of the program since the government created it in 2010, the Wall Street Journal reported today. Many of the 27.8 million borrowers with these newer direct federal loans aren't yet required to make payments: About 35 percent are still in school or within a six-month grace period after graduation, the report said. But about 18 percent are in programs designed to help distressed borrowers or have returned to school. Nearly 8 percent are in default, meaning the borrower hasn't made a payment in at least a year, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the federal regulator that released the report. The report indicates that a significant number of borrowers in the new program are unable to repay. Excluding borrowers who don't yet have to make payments because they are still in school or within the grace period, more than a fifth -- about 22 percent -- are in default or forbearance. Read more. (Subscription required.)

Click here to read the CFPB's report.

COMMENTARY: MOTOWN'S PENSION SHOWDOWN

Detroit's unions have found an unlikely ally in Michigan's Republican Attorney General Bill Schuette, who has taken up their argument that the state constitution precludes federal bankruptcy court from reducing pension benefits, according to an editorial in the Wall Street Journal today. If this view holds, according to the editorial, unions and politicians in financially strapped cities will be able to use chapter 9 as a new political default to shed their bond debts. The Detroit case is likely to set precedents because it's the first large city that has tried to force haircuts on pensioners through bankruptcy. Politicians in the bankrupt cities of Vallejo and Stockton, Calif., sidestepped the issue of whether federal bankruptcy law pre-empts state pension protections after the California Public Employees' Retirement System threatened an expensive legal fight. But with $3.5 billion in unfunded pension liabilities, Detroit can't afford to duck. While the U.S. Constitution's Supremacy Clause would seem to give federal bankruptcy law the upper hand, Congress has traditionally sought to straddle the U.S. system of dual sovereignty by including explicit pre-emptory language in statutes that are intended to supersede state laws. Chapter 9's language doesn't explicitly pre-empt state laws, according to the editorial, but there's a strong case to be made that pre-emption is intrinsic to municipal bankruptcy. The legal tension comes because Michigan's constitution, which passed in 1963, holds that "accrued financial benefits of each pension plan and retirement system of the state and its political subdivisions shall be a contractual obligation thereof which shall not be diminished or impaired thereby." Read more. (Subscription required.)

A similar commentary in yesterday's New York Times finds that while it isn't politically feasible for the federal government to bail out Detroit, President Obama and Congress must step in to avert the worst fiscal collapse in urban American history. The commentary makes the case that the government must intervene because the symptoms of the municipal illness that made Detroit, with an estimated $18 billion in liabilities, the largest city in American history to declare bankruptcy are showing up in other cities. Emergency response times are lengthening in cash-starved cities. Libraries, parks and recreation facilities are shortening their hours or closing. Potholes go unfilled, sidewalks unrepaired and trees untrimmed. All that makes urban life rewarding and uplifting is under increasing pressure, in large part because of unaffordable public employee pension and health care costs. Read the full commentary.

For the latest information and analysis about the Detroit case, be sure to visit ABI's dedicated website, http://news.abi.org/Detroit.

PRIVATE-EQUITY PAYOUT DEBT SURGES

Private-equity firms are adding debt to companies they own in order to fund payouts to themselves at a record pace, as fears are mounting that the window for these deals will close if interest rates rise, the Wall Street Journal reported today. So far this year, $47.4 billion of new loans and bonds have been sold by companies to pay dividends to the private-equity firms that own them, according to data provider S&P Capital IQ LCD. That is 62 percent more than the same period last year, which wound up being the biggest year on record, with $64.2 billion sold to fund private-equity payouts. The added debt, known as a recapitalization, can increase companies' risk of default, according to a recent study by Moody's Investors Service. As dividend deals increase, many also are unusually risky lately, carrying low credit ratings and paying historically low interest rates to investors. "This is the leveraged-finance debt market that you can't quite kill," said Richard Farley, a lawyer with Paul Hastings LLP who represents banks in buyouts. Read more. (Subscription required.)

ANALYSIS: RETURN OF MEGA-MERGERS REFLECTS GROWING CONFIDENCE IN ECONOMY



Analysts say that the recent spike in merger activity reflects the return of the mega-merger and a gradual uptick in business confidence in the economy, the Washington Post reported today. It has been most evident in the ongoing battle for Dell computers, with founder Michael Dell upping his bid for the company to $25 billion Friday, and the high-profile buyout of H.J. Heinz by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway. Although the number of mergers is down compared with the corresponding period last year, a series of mega-mergers has helped increase the value of merger activity in 2013 to $607 billion from $486 billion during the corresponding period in 2012. Activity is picking up after an uneventful 2012, when no mega-mergers were announced, analysts said. But it is still far from 2011 levels, when low valuations contributed to a rush for deals. Read more.

CONSUMER SPENDING, INCOME CLIMB IN JUNE



U.S. consumer spending increased and inflation pushed higher in June, which could strengthen expectations that the Federal Reserve will curtail its bond purchases later this year, Reuters reported on Friday. The Commerce Department said on Friday that consumer spending rose 0.5 percent, lifted by automobile purchases and higher gasoline prices. May's increase was revised down to 0.2 percent from a previously reported 0.3 percent. June's increase in consumer spending, which accounts for more than two-thirds of U.S. economic activity, was in line with economists' expectations. With prices picking up, consumer spending adjusted for inflation nudged up 0.1 percent. The consumer spending numbers were included in the second-quarter GDP report on Wednesday, which showed that the economy grew at a 1.7 percent annual pace after expanding at a 1.1 percent rate in the first three months of the year. Read more.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT - abiLIVE WEBINAR DISCUSSING § 1111(b) ELECTION, PLAN FEASIBILITY AND CRAMDOWN ISSUES RECORDING IS NOW AVAILABLE!



If you were not able to attend ABI's recent abiLIVE webinar examining § 1111(b), a recording of the program is now available for downloading! Utilizing a case study, ABI's panel of experts explored the issues surrounding a lender's decision on whether or not to make an election under § 1111(b), plan feasibility and voting. The abiLIVE panel also walked attendees through the necessary mathematical analyses used to examine these issues. The 90-minute recording is available for the special price of $75 and can be purchased here.

abiLIVE WEBINAR ON AUGUST 20: HOW WILL THE NEW U.S. TRUSTEE FEE GUIDELINES IMPACT YOU?



The new U.S. Trustee Fee Guidelines will affect all attorneys and firms who work on larger chapter 11 cases filed on or after Nov. 1. ABI's Ethics & Professional Compensation Committee will present a panel of experts, including Clifford J. White, the director of the U.S. Trustee Program, to discuss some of the ways the new guidelines could change day-to-day operations in firms, issues relating to the new market rate benchmarks, and how these changes might alter insolvency practice. Register today to hear government, attorney and academic perspectives speak on this important and timely topic.

ABI GOLF TOUR UNDERWAY; NEXT STOP IS THE MID-ATLANTIC BANKRUPTCY WORKSHOP ON FRIDAY



The 5th stop for the ABI Golf Tour is the Hershey Country Club, held in conjunction with this week's Mid-Atlantic Bankruptcy Workshop. Final scoring to win the Great American Cup — sponsored by Great American Group — is based on your top three scores at seven scheduled ABI events, so play as many as you can before the tour wraps up at the Winter Leadership Conference in December. See the Tour page for details and course descriptions. The ABI Golf Tour combines networking with fun competition, as golfers "play their own ball." Including your handicap means everyone has an equal chance to compete for the glory of being crowned ABI's top golfer of 2013! A 22-handicapper won the tour event at July’s Southeast Conference. There's no charge to register or participate in the Tour.

ABI IN-DEPTH

ASSOCIATES: ABI'S NUTS & BOLTS ONLINE PROGRAMS HELP YOU HONE YOUR SKILLS WHILE SAVING ON CLE!



Associates looking to sharpen their bankruptcy knowledge should take advantage of ABI's special offer of combining general, business or consumer Nuts & Bolts online programs. Each program features an outstanding faculty of judges and practitioners explaining the fundamentals of bankruptcy, offering procedures and strategies tailored for both consumer and business attorneys. Click here to get the CLE you need at a great low price!

NEW CASE SUMMARY ON VOLO: CHARLES W. RIES V. SCARLETT & GUCCIARDO, PA, ET AL. (8TH CIR.)



Summarized by Michael Cooley of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP

Applying the plain language of Fed. R. Civ. P. 15(c)(1), the Eighth Circuit affirmed the principle that whether the party seeking to amend a pleading knew, when the original pleading was filed, of the identity of the party left out is irrelevant to the question of whether the amended pleading may relate back to the date of the original pleading. Rather, the ability to relate back an amendment to the date of the original pleading depends on whether the party to be added knew or should have known that, but for the mistake, it would have been named in the original pleading. Additionally, this case serves as an important reminder of the value in structuring settlement agreements to safeguard against the possibility that a bankruptcy filing thereafter could leave the nondebtor party to disgorge settlement payments as preferential transfers without the ability to resurrect the claims originally settled in consideration therefore.

There are more than 900 appellate opinions summarized on Volo, and summaries typically appear within 24 hours of the ruling. Click here regularly to view the latest case summaries on ABI’s Volo website.

NEW ON ABI’S BANKRUPTCY BLOG EXCHANGE: ONLY CONGRESS THINKS MAIN STREET BANKS ARE "TBTF"

The Bankruptcy Blog Exchange is a free ABI service that tracks 35 bankruptcy-related blogs. Removing the arbitrary size designation for systemically important financial institutions would reduce costly regulation for regional banks, encourage industrywide competition and concentrate regulators' efforts on firms that actually warrant attention, according to a recent blog post.

Be sure to check the site several times each day; any time a contributing blog posts a new story, a link to the story will appear on the top. If you have a blog that deals with bankruptcy, or know of a good blog that should be part of the Bankruptcy Exchange, please contact the ABI Web team.

ABI Quick Poll

A class of claims should not be considered impaired for purposes of § 1129(a)(10) if the impairment results from the plan proponents' exercise of discretion (i.e., artificial impairment) and not driven by economic need. (In re Village at Camp Bowie I LP).

Click here to vote on this week's Quick Poll. Click here to view the results of previous Quick Polls.

INSOL INTERNATIONAL



INSOL International is a worldwide federation of national associations for accountants and lawyers who specialize in turnaround and insolvency. There are currently 43 member associations worldwide with more than 9,000 professionals participating as members of INSOL International. As a member association of INSOL, ABI's members receive a discounted subscription rate. See ABI's enrollment page for details.

Have a Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn Account?

Join our networks to expand yours.

2013

August

- Mid-Atlantic Bankruptcy Workshop

    August 8-10, 2013 | Hershey, Pa.

- abiLIVE Webinar: How Will the New U.S. Trustee Fee Guidelines Impact You?

     August 20, 2013

- Southwest Bankruptcy Conference

    August 22-24, 2013 | Incline Village, Nev.

September

- ABI Endowment Golf & Tennis Outing

    Sept. 10, 2013 | Maplewood, N.J.

- ABI Endowment Baseball Game

    Sept. 12, 2013 | Baltimore, Md.

- Lawrence P. King and Charles Seligson Workshop on Bankruptcy & Business Reorganization

    Sept. 18-19, 2013 | New York

- abiLIVE Webinar: Complex Requirements and Ethical Duties of Representing Consumer Debtors

     Sept. 24, 2013

- Bankruptcy 2013: Views from the Bench

    Sept. 27, 2013 | Washington, D.C.

October

- Midwestern Bankruptcy Institute Program and Midwestern Consumer Forum

    Oct. 4, 2013 | Kansas City, Mo.

- Professional Development Program

    Oct. 11, 2013 | New York, N.Y.

- Chicago Consumer Bankruptcy Conference

    Oct. 14, 2013 | Chicago, Ill.

- International Insolvency & Restructuring Symposium

    Oct. 25, 2013 | Berlin, Germany

November

- Complex Financial Restructuring Program

   Nov. 7, 2013 | Philadelphia, Pa.

- Corporate Restructuring Competition

   Nov. 7-8, 2013 | Philadelphia, Pa.

- Austin Advanced Consumer Bankruptcy Practice Institute

   Nov. 10-12, 2013 | Austin, Texas

- Detroit Consumer Bankruptcy Conference

   Nov. 11, 2013 | Detroit, Mich.

December

- Winter Leadership Conference

    Dec. 5-7, 2013 | Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif.

- ABI/St. John’s Bankruptcy Mediation Training

    Dec. 8-12, 2013 | New York

U.S. FORECLOSURE FILINGS DOWN 10 PERCENT IN JULY



Market researcher RealtyTrac reported that the number of U.S. properties with foreclosure filings slipped 10 percent in July from a year earlier, the Wall Street Journal reported today. There were 191,925 U.S. properties with default notices, scheduled auctions and bank repossessions in July, a 3 percent decrease from the prior month. One in every 686 U.S. housing units had a foreclosure filing last month, RealtyTrac reported. U.S. foreclosure activity has now decreased on a year-over-year basis for 22 consecutive months, according to the report. The latest month's decline was driven primarily by a 21 percent decline in bank repossessions from a year earlier. Properties starting the foreclosure process increased on an annual basis for the third straight month in July, rising 6 percent last month. Foreclosure starts rose on a year-over-year basis in 27 states. Read more. (Subscription required.)

CONSUMERS CUT BACK ON CREDIT CARD USE IN JUNE, BUT OVERALL BORROWING CONTINUES TO RISE



Americans cut back on credit card use in June, a sign that high sustained unemployment and slow growth have made some more cautious about spending, the Associated Press reported yesterday. Still, total consumer borrowing increased as many took on loans to buy cars and attend school. Consumer borrowing rose by $6.5 billion from May to June totaling $2.58 trillion, the Federal Reserve said on Tuesday. Auto and student loans rose by $10.2 billion to $1.71 trillion in June. Credit card debt fell $3.7 billion to $865 billion. Household debt, including mortgages and home equity lines of credit, has declined for 16 straight quarters to $12.9 trillion in March, according to the Fed. That is down from $13.8 trillion in March 2008. Read more.

REPORT: WEAK CREDIT QUALITY OF U.S. CITIES IS BIGGER CONCERN THAN BANKRUPTCIES



Morgan Stanley's municipal debt strategists said on Tuesday that weaker local credit quality should be a greater concern for municipal debt investors than chapter 9 filings, Reuters reported on Wednesday. "Our updated case study analysis of recent chapter 9 filings affirms that bankruptcies may pick up somewhat, but the ongoing deterioration of local credit quality is a more relevant systemic risk," Morgan Stanley Research's Michael Zezas and Meghan Robson said in a report. The researchers said that chapter 9 filings and municipalities flirting with bankruptcy are "likely to remain modest and idiosyncratic." Even so they urged scrutinizing state and local credits, adding that they favor enterprise revenue debt over general obligation bonds. Read more.

ANALYSIS: UPPER-MIDDLE-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS SEE BIGGEST JUMPS IN STUDENT LOAN BURDEN



According to a Wall Street Journal analysis of recently released Federal Reserve data, households with annual incomes of $94,535 to $205,335 saw the biggest jump in the percentage of households with student-loan debt from 2007-10, the latest figures available. The Journal's analysis defined upper-middle-income households as those with annual incomes between the 80th and 95th percentiles of all households nationwide. Among this group, 25.6 percent had student loan debt in 2010, up from 19.5 percent in 2007. For all households, the portion with student loan debt rose to 19.1 percent in 2010 from 15.2 percent in 2007. The amount borrowed by upper-middle-income families, meanwhile, has soared. They owed an average of $32,869 in college loans in 2010, up from $26,639 in 2007, after adjusting for inflation, according to the Journal's analysis. Read more. (Subscription required.)

ANALYSIS: RECESSION GENERATION OPTS TO RENT – NOT BUY – BIG TICKET ITEMS



Confronting a jobless rate above 8 percent since 2009 and student-loan debt hitting about $1 trillion, 20-to-34-year-olds are renting apartments, cars and even clothing to save money and stay flexible, Bloomberg News reported yesterday. As the Great Depression shaped the attitudes of a generation from 1929 until the early years of World War II, so have the financial crisis and its aftermath affected the outlook of young consumers, said Cliff Zukin, a professor of public policy and political science at the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University. College graduates earned less coming out of the recession, according to a May study by the John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development at Rutgers. Those graduating during 2009-11 earned a median salary in their starting job $3,000 less than the $30,000 seen in 2007. The majority of students owed $20,000 to pay off their education, and 40 percent of the 444 college graduates surveyed said their loan debt is causing them to delay major purchases such as a house or a car. Read more.

LAX BANKING LAW OBSCURED MONEY FLOW IN STANDARD CHARTERED'S MONEY LAUNDERING CASE



The list of global banks that have been accused in recent years of laundering foreign transactions totaling billions of dollars has been growing — Credit Suisse, Lloyds, Barclays, ING, HSBC — and now Standard Chartered, the New York Times reported today. The details in each case are different, with the international banks suspected of using their American subsidiaries to process tainted money for clients that included Iran, Cuba, North Korea, sponsors of terrorist groups and drug cartels. What the cases have in common is that the accused banks took advantage of a law that was not changed until 2008 and that allowed banks to disguise client identities and move their money offshore. The cases, including one filed this week by New York’s banking regulator against Standard Chartered, also cast a harsh light on just how much activity with Iran was permitted in the years leading up to 2008 and whether the practices had violated the spirit, if not the letter, of the law. Foreign banks until 2008 were allowed to transfer money for Iranian clients through their American subsidiaries to a separate offshore institution. In these so-called U-turn transactions, the banks could provide scant information about the client to their American units as long as they stated they had thoroughly vetted the transactions for suspicious activity. Read more.

LATEST ABI PODCAST EXPLORES HEALTH CARE INSOLVENCIES



ABI Executive Director Samuel J. Gerdano talks with Leslie A. Berkoff of Moritt Hock & Hamroff LLP and Robert A. Guy, Jr. of Frost Brown Todd LLC, the lead editors of ABI's Health Care Insolvency Manual, Third Edition. Berkoff and Guy discuss current issues surrounding health care insolvencies, the new health care law and the need to release this year’s new edition of the Health Care Insolvency Manual. To listen to the podcast, please click here.

For more information and to purchase ABI's Health Care Insolvency Manual, please click here.

ABI IN-DEPTH

LATEST CASE SUMMARY ON VOLO: NATIONAL BANK OF ARKANSAS V. PANTHER MOUNTAIN LAND DEVELOPMENT, LLC (IN RE PANTHER MOUNTAIN LAND DEVELOPMENT, LLC; 8TH CIR.)



Summarized by Adam Ballinger of Lindquist & Vennum, PLLP

The Eighth Circuit ruled that the automatic stay does not apply to an action against a debtor's improvement districts formed under Arkansas law because the improvement districts are property of neither the debtor nor the debtors themselves. The doctrine of equitable laches does not apply because there is no showing of detrimental reliance of the debtor upon a party's failure to raise this particular challenge.

Nearly 600 appellate opinions are summarized on Volo typically within 24 hours of the ruling. Click here regularly to view the latest case summaries on ABI’s Volo website.

NEW ON ABI’S BANKRUPTCY BLOG EXCHANGE: SURVEY SHOWS EMPLOYEES USE INTERNAL CHANNELS FOR REPORTING MISCONDUCT



The Bankruptcy Blog Exchange is a free ABI service that tracks 35 bankruptcy-related blogs. Amid concerns that the SEC whistleblower rules will encourage employees to bypass internal protocols and take allegations of misconduct directly to the Commission, a recent blog post reported on a survey by the nonprofit Ethics Resource Center that found that only one out of six employees ever reported misconduct to regulators or other outside channels.

Be sure to check the site several times each day; any time a contributing blog posts a new story, a link to the story will appear on the top. If you have a blog that deals with bankruptcy, or know of a good blog that should be part of the Bankruptcy Exchange, please contact the ABI Web team.

ABI Quick Poll

The Twombly/Iqbal rule for pleading ‘plausible’ claims has been applied too stringently in dismissing avoidance actions for failure to state a claim.

Click here to vote on this week's Quick Poll. Click here to view the results of previous Quick Polls.

HAVE YOU TUNED IN TO BLOOMBERG LAW'S VIDEO PODCASTS?



Bloomberg Law's video podcasts feature top experts speaking about current bankruptcy topics. The podcasts are available via Bloomberg Law's YouTube channel so that you can access the programs from your computer or device of your choice! Click here to view the Bloomberg Law video podcasts.

INSOL INTERNATIONAL



INSOL International is a worldwide federation of national associations for accountants and lawyers who specialize in turnaround and insolvency. There are currently 37 member associations worldwide with more than 9,000 professionals participating as members of INSOL International. As a member association of INSOL, ABI's members receive a discounted subscription rate. See ABI's enrollment page for details.

Have a Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn Account?

Join our networks to expand yours.

September

- Complex Financial Restructuring Program

     September 13-14, 2012 | Las Vegas, Nev.

- Southwest Bankruptcy Conference

     September 13-15, 2012 | Las Vegas, Nev.

- 38th Annual Lawrence P. King and Charles Seligson Workshop on Bankruptcy & Business Reorganization

     September 19-20, 2012 | New York, N.Y.

- American College of Bankruptcy's "Bankruptcy: Back to the Future" Program

     September 28, 2012 | Chicago, Ill.

October

- Nuts & Bolts for Young and New Practitioners - KC

     October 4, 2012 | Kansas City, Mo.

- Midwestern Bankruptcy Institute Program, Midwestern Consumer Forum

     October 5, 2012 | Kansas City, Mo.

- Bankruptcy 2012: Views from the Bench

     October 5, 2012 | Washington, D.C.

- Chicago Consumer Bankruptcy Conference

     October 8, 2012 | Chicago, Ill.

- International Insolvency and Restructuring Symposium

     October 18, 2012 | Rome, Italy

November

- U.S./Mexico Restructuring Symposium

     November 7, 2012 | Mexico City, Mexico

- Detroit Consumer Bankruptcy Conference

     November 12, 2012 | Detroit, Mich.

U.S. CONSUMER SPENDING FALLS IN JUNE; INCOMES RISE



Consumer spending in the U.S. fell slightly in June and marked the second straight decline even though wages rose sharply, according to the latest government data, MarketWatch.com reported. Spending fell less than 0.1 percent last month on a seasonally adjusted basis, the Commerce Department said today, and spending for May was revised down slightly to a 0.1 percent decrease. Personal income, meanwhile, jumped 0.5 percent in June. Since incomes rose faster than spending, the personal savings rate rose to 4.4 percent from 4.0 percent. Read more.

REPORT: COMPLETED U.S. FORECLOSURES HOLD STEADY IN JUNE



CoreLogic reported today that the amount of completed U.S. home foreclosures held steady in June compared to the month before, although the level was down from a year ago, according to Reuters. There were 60,000 finished foreclosures in June, the same as in May and down from the 80,000 seen in June 2011, CoreLogic said. Since the financial crisis erupted in September 2008, there have been about 3.7 million foreclosures.
About 1.4 million homes, or 3.4 percent of homes with a mortgages, were in some stage of the foreclosure process. That was down from 1.5 million homes, or 3.5 percent, a year ago and unchanged from May. The five states with the highest number of foreclosures in the last 12 months were California, Florida, Michigan, Texas and Georgia. Those states alone accounted for 48.4 percent of all completed foreclosures. Read more.

ANALYSIS: CALIFORNIA LURING MOST MUNICIPAL FUND INVESTMENT SINCE 2007, DEFIES BANKRUPTCY WAVE



California municipal funds are garnering the most demand since 2007, helping fuel the biggest rally in the state's debt since May and allaying concerns that bankruptcies might curb the appetite of individual investors, Bloomberg News reported yesterday. With local yields close to their lowest rates since the 1960s, investors seeking tax-free income are willing to take the added risk of debt from Standard & Poor's lowest-rated U.S. state. Bond funds focusing on California issuers have added assets for 18 straight weeks, the longest streak since 2007, according to Lipper US Fund Flows data. The funds increased even as three municipalities in the past six weeks from the most-populous state decided to file for bankruptcy protection, including San Bernardino and Stockton, a city east of San Francisco that is trying to set a precedent by imposing losses on bondholders. Read more.

MUNI RATES EXAMINED FOR SIGNS OF RIGGING



Attention has swung to a set of benchmark interest rates that help determine how much cities and states pay to borrow money in the bond market, the New York Times reported today. The scrutiny of the Municipal Market Data (or M.M.D.) index comes on the heels of revelations that a broader financial industry benchmark, the London Interbank Offered Rate (Libor), was manipulated by banks before and after the financial crisis. Libor is used to help determine the costs of products like mortgages and credit cards. Thomson Reuters, which owns Municipal Market Data, said yesterday that it "has been involved in discussions with regulators" about the rates, which influence the prices of bonds and derivatives in the $3 trillion municipal bond market. The M.M.D. rates influence a much smaller market than Libor, but it is one that is crucial to how cities and states across America borrow money to maintain roads and bridges and provide essential services such as public education. The scrutiny of the M.M.D. rates comes as a number of other events are drawing attention to the transparency and fairness of the municipal bond market. Three former bankers at UBS yesterday went on trial in Manhattan on charges that they had colluded to steer municipal bond transactions to specific banks in exchange for kickbacks. Separately, the Securities and Exchange Commission will release a lengthy report soon that recommends reforms for the municipal bond market so that investors are put on more even footing. Read more.

ANALYSIS: THOUGH SPLITTING UP WAS CONSIDERED, BANK OF AMERICA EXECUTIVES VOTED AGAINST THE IDEA



Long before Sanford Weill suggested last week that big banks should split up, Bank of America Corp. executives and directors considered the idea and then decided against it, the Wall Street Journal reported yesterday. While the Charlotte, N.C.-based company's exploration of a possible breakup in 2010 and 2011 came and went, it illustrates the powerful and contradictory forces buffeting giant financial companies even as the financial crisis recedes. Stung by public revulsion to the bailouts of 2008, regulators are pushing rules that would tax the biggest firms based on size. Big-bank share prices have tumbled, and even some bankers who spent their careers assembling sprawling conglomerates are questioning whether combining traditional lending with trading and deal-making makes sense. At Bank of America, Chief Executive Brian Moynihan and his team looked at a possible bankruptcy of Countrywide Financial Corp., the troubled mortgage operation it purchased in 2008. Management also studied whether it made sense to break off Merrill Lynch, the securities firm it purchased in 2009. Moynihan ultimately recommended to his board that neither action made sense. The company decided that Merrill had become too big of a profit center and that splitting it off could expose the brokerage firm to the sort of funding problems that killed off other Wall Street firms in 2008. Meanwhile, it felt that a bankruptcy of Countrywide might invite more legal and reputational troubles for Bank of America while exposing other subsidiaries to problems. Read more. (Subscription required.)

ABI IN-DEPTH

LATEST CASE SUMMARY ON VOLO: IN RE PHILADELPHIA NEWSPAPERS LLC (3D CIR.)



Summarized by Suzanne Iazzetta of Becker Meisel LLC

The Third Circuit ruled that when deciding whether an appeal is equitably moot, a court must consider all five factors set forth in In re Continental Airlines, 91 F.3d 553, 560 (3d Cir. 1996). In particular, a court must consider whether allowing the appeal to go forward would undermine the plan, an analysis that the court must undertake even if the plan has already been "substantially consummated."

Additionally, under applicable Pennsylvania law, the debtor’s post-petition publication of an article that included hyperlinks to a previously published allegedly defamatory article was not a "republication" such that it could be deemed a separate act of defamation. Therefore, the tort claimant did not sustain its burden to show its entitlement to a § 503(b)(9) administrative expense claim based on the debtor's post-petition publication.

More than 570 appellate opinions are summarized on Volo typically within 24 hours of the ruling. Click here regularly to view the latest case summaries on ABI’s Volo website.

NEW ON ABI’S BANKRUPTCY BLOG EXCHANGE: HOW LONG UNTIL RESCAP LIQUIDATES?



The Bankruptcy Blog Exchange is a free ABI service that tracks 35 bankruptcy-related blogs. A recent post examines the $109 million loss by Rescap in the first 45 days of its chapter 11 case and ponders whether there will be a liquidation in the case.

Be sure to check the site several times each day; any time a contributing blog posts a new story, a link to the story will appear on the top. If you have a blog that deals with bankruptcy, or know of a good blog that should be part of the Bankruptcy Exchange, please contact the ABI Web team.

ABI Quick Poll

The Twombly/Iqbal rule for pleading ‘plausible’ claims has been applied too stringently in dismissing avoidance actions for failure to state a claim.

Click here to vote on this week's Quick Poll. Click here to view the results of previous Quick Polls.

IS YOUR ABI MEMBERSHIP PROFILE CURRENT?



Keeping a current profile will allow you to benefit from one of ABI's most important services - networking. When you update your profile, you are putting your most valuable information in the membership directory. Be sure to include your areas of expertise, firm information, education and join any other committees that are of interest. Click here to update your profile.

INSOL INTERNATIONAL



INSOL International is a worldwide federation of national associations for accountants and lawyers who specialize in turnaround and insolvency. There are currently 37 member associations worldwide with more than 9,000 professionals participating as members of INSOL International. As a member association of INSOL, ABI's members receive a discounted subscription rate. See ABI's enrollment page for details.

Have a Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn Account?

Join our networks to expand yours.

August

- Mid-Atlantic Bankruptcy Workshop

     August 2-4, 2012 | Cambridge, Md.

September

- Complex Financial Restructuring Program

     September 13-14, 2012 | Las Vegas, Nev.


- Southwest Bankruptcy Conference

     September 13-15, 2012 | Las Vegas, Nev.

- 38th Annual Lawrence P. King and Charles Seligson Workshop on Bankruptcy & Business Reorganization

     September 19-20, 2012 | New York, N.Y.

October

- Nuts & Bolts for Young and New Practitioners - KC

     October 4, 2012 | Kansas City, Mo.

- Midwestern Bankruptcy Institute Program, Midwestern Consumer Forum

     October 5, 2012 | Kansas City, Mo.

- Bankruptcy 2012: Views from the Bench

     October 5, 2012 | Washington, D.C.

- Chicago Consumer Bankruptcy Conference

     October 8, 2012 | Chicago, Ill.

- International Insolvency and Restructuring Symposium

     October 18, 2012 | Rome, Italy

November

- U.S./Mexico Restructuring Symposium

     November 7, 2012 | Mexico City, Mexico

- Detroit Consumer Bankruptcy Conference

     November 12, 2012 | Detroit, Mich.